Central team starts assessment of damage caused by cyclone 'Fani'

Ten days after cyclone 'Fani' ravaged coastal Odisha, an inter-ministerial Central team Monday began field assessment of the damage done by the storm, even as people continued to struggle for basic needs like food, water and power in the worst-hit Puri and Khurda districts.

Over 5 lakh houses were damaged and 1.65 crore people were affected by the cyclonic storm that left 46 people dead in the state.

The 11-member Central team is being led by Vivek Bhardwaj, additional secretary in the Home Ministry.

The team, which was split into two units, met people in Brahmagiri, Kanas and other areas of Puri district and some parts of Khurda district.

Cyclone 'Fani', which hit the state on May 3, passed through the coastal region of Odisha with a wind speed of over 200 kmph.

"The affected people have apprised the team of their problems, about the lack of 'pucca' houses, shelter and other difficulties faced by them," said Puri District Collector Balwant Singh, who accompanied the group visiting ...