The worst-affected Gajapati district was on Tuesday limping back to normal with restoration of essential supplies and public transportation services three days after it was battered by cyclone Hudhud.
The residents of the district have been reeling under several problems as electricity was erratic and daily needed items like grocery, vegetables and milk were not available. Fuel too was scarce, while communication network had virtually collapsed due to the devastation caused by the cyclone which struck on Sunday. Special Relief Officer for Gajapati Biswajit Biswal was camping in the hilly part of the district to oversee relief operations. Package food items like cooked rice, dal and dry foods were provided to the victims.
Mulanivasi Manch for Disaster Response has submitted a memorandum to the district Collector of Gajapati through the Mohana BDO seeking urgent intervention for effective inclusion of marginalized communities in the relief benefit.
SRO Biswal clarified that those affected by cyclone Hudhud can avail financial assistance for house damage only if they have patta. Similarly for availing crop damage compensation, the affected ones have to produce land patta, he said.