Rayagad (Gajapati): The trail of devastation left by cyclonic storm ‘Titli’ in this block of Gajapati district has gone beyond human comprehension. While private estimates have put the toll at 33, the government agencies have put it at 27 four days after the calamity, Monday.
The toll is increasing each passing day as the administrative officials have gained access into remote areas after removing uprooted trees from roads and repairing them to come closer to reality.
Observers have claimed the toll could go beyond 50 if reports from remote regions of the district are compiled. According to private estimates, 18 persons had died in a landslide at Gangabada panchayat while seven died in Mada village, two in Madba village, two in Suaba, two in Dalinga and one each in Langa Sahi and Andarghai village in the block.
Several social outfits and associations have claimed the toll might be 40, but the government figures have fixed the number of dead in the calamity at 18.
According to reliable reports, Srinivas Sabar, 60, of Badapachidia died after being swept away while Lakshmi Sabar, 25, a shelter-less pregnant woman of Benga Sahi under Gangabada panchayat died in the incessant rainfall.
Sixty-year-old man Chandra Bhuyan of Madba died after being swept away while Jamini Bhuyan of the village and Dindima Sabar, 45, of Andarghai village died in a wall collapse.
According to sarpanch Manoj Sabar, Chandrama Sabar, wife of Sundar Sabar of Budu Sahi in Lailai panchayat died Thursday after a wall crumbled over her. She was pregnant, he added.
PNN