At least three minors were killed due to house collapse in three separate incidents, while five persons sustained serious injuries and were shifted to the district headquarters hospital for treatment after a devastating squall and thunderstorm hit 15villages of five gram panchayats under Bahanaga block here on Friday evening.
The deceased were identified as Sania Singh (10) of Nilakanthapur village, Jitendra Das (12) of Thalsada village and Jhumuri Singh (7) of Benupada village. Several trees and electric poles were uprooted and wire severed causing disruption of traffic and power.
An assessment of the district administration suggests that houses of at least 400 were affected involving population of nearly 4,000. The homeless villagers were shifted to temporary shelters and will be given free kitchen for three days. They have been provided with polythene sheets and other essential aids. The roads blocked by felling of trees and electric poles are being cleared with the help of ODRAF and fire service personnel.
While there are reports of death of live stick and poultry birds, the CDVO has been asked to monitor the status. Apart from local tehsildar Manorama Bhuyan, sub collector Nilgiri Manoj Mohanty, PD DRDA Anjan Manik and District Collector Ranjit Mohanty are camping in the block to monitor the rescue and relief works.
The district administration extended Rs 10,000 ex- gratia to each family of the deceased, while it announced that the rest ex-gratia of Rs 1.5 lakh would be given to them later. Meanwhile, a standing committee of the State Assembly under the chairmanship of Bhograi MlA Ananta Das had a meeting on Saturday here with regard to the revenue, disaster management, excise and energy status of the district.
It also rushed to the site to have a close view of the situation. Bhandaripokhari MlA Prafulla Samal and Rajnagar MlA Alekh Jena, among others, were in the team.
“Saud, Thalsada, Benapada and their neighbouring areas were most affected due to the thunderstorm. Three persons were killed while five others sustained injuries in the areas. The rescue and relief works are in progress. The roads are being cleared and over 3,600 people are being provided free kitchen for 3 days in temporary shelters,” informed tehsildar Bhuyan.