Aul: The extremely severe cyclonic storm ‘Fani’ has claimed one life and has left four others seriously injured in this block of Kendrapara district.
According to reports, Bharati Das (62) – wife of Dambrudhar Das of Argal village – was injured after a tree fell on her while she was on her way to a nearby shelter home. She breathed her last while being taken to the community health centre here.
Similarly, Panchali Barik (40) – wife of Pramod Barik of Bakot panchayat – suffered serious injuries on her head and leg after a branch fell on her. She is currently undergoing treatment at Cuttack-based SCB Medical College and Hospital.
Among others injured were, Suresh Rao and his wife belonging to Sasan village and Minati Tarei (40) – wife of Nira Tarei of Dasipur village under Badambila panchayat.
Even though the administration had made the necessary arrangements to tackle the cyclonic storm at least 34 panchayats under this block have suffered serious damages.
Preliminary assessment by the administration suggested that more than 200 houses have been damaged in this block. More than 80 electric poles have also been uprooted. The block has been without power since Thursday.
Approximately 22,800 people from 34 panchayats were put up in 46 shelter homes here. The district administration had provided them with food and water. Now they are being sent back to their respective homes. However, they are being provided with adequate relief. The district administration also said that rice packets will be distributed to 1.39lakh people in the panchayats.
The total loss is estimated to be around Rs 50 lakh, according to the preliminary assessment.
Locals here said that the rains started from Thursday night and the wind speed started picking up from Friday morning. The speed increased after Friday noon and took a violent turn by 3:00pm. The speed started reducing only after 7.00pm in the evening.