Cyclone Fani: IMD and Odisha govt did a good job, but could have done better

Source(s): Down To Earth

By Biswanath Dash

[...]

Ever since the cyclone hit the state, major parts of the affected districts are without regular electricity service leading to severe disruption in drinking water supply. Bhubaneswar is among the worst-affected where electricity, drinking water, mobile communication, banking and business have been partially restored.

Much less information is available about other districts, particularly Puri — the most affected. The emerging scenarios in these affected regions suggest the nature of devastation is comparable to 1999 Super Cyclone and in many areas, people claim it is more than that.

There are reports of protests by citizens, demanding food and drinking water. News reports indicate widespread damage to agriculture, infrastructure, tourism industries in Puri and handicraft in Pipili.

Government agencies and their staff are severely constrained due to breakdown of power and communication system are working round the clock but are simply overwhelmed by the enormity of tasks at hand.

There are news reports of neighbouring states sending additional manpower to restore electricity service. There is still no preliminary report of the overall damage and losses while urgency is expected in every domain including compensations for house damage or crop losses as well as restoration of essential services.

To put it in perspective, it is not that people on ground are not putting their best effort but more like a situation where the overall result is far from satisfactory.

[...]

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Hazards Cyclone
Country and region India
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