The Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC) has recently directed for an inquiry into allegation related to dilapidated cyclone shelters across the State. The commission has directed the Secretary of Revenue and Disaster Management Department and Special Relief Commissioner to file a detailed report by November 22. The order of the State rights panel has come on a complaint filed by activist Akhand.
Akhand, the petitioner, alleged in his petition before the OHRC that around 10,000 cyclone shelters in the costal districts of the State are lying in a dilapidated state. Cyclone shelters, which are multi-purpose buildings, assumed special significance in the wake of the 1999 Super Cyclone which ravaged the State’s coastal areas. However, most of these buildings are now unsafe.
Following the Super Cyclone, some 10,042 buildings were constructed with the financial assistance of the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund, MP funds, Chief Minister’s Relief Fund and some other funds by the State Governments, including those of Maharashtra and Karnataka. Several voluntary agencies, corporate sectors and public sector undertakings had also donated funds for post-cyclone reconstruction and restoration. The Orissa State Disaster Mitigation Authority had built 135 cyclone shelters, while the Red Cross Society of India had constructed another 65 multipurpose cyclone shelters .These structures were supposed to be used as schools during normal period and as temporary shelters during natural calamities.
Most of the cyclone shelters have leaky roofs with worn out doors and windows. They have become unsafe due to lack of proper maintenance. During floods and cyclones, the buildings would hardly be able to protect the victims from rain and wind. Most of the electric machinery and other equipment in the shelters are not functioning properly. Besides, most the shelters are deprived of electricity connection, alleged the petitioner.