Hailstorm Havoc: Rs 20.38 cr provisional compensation sanctioned, says Odisha Minister

Bhubaneswar: Based on the provisional damage assessment report received from Mayurbhanj Collector, the Odisha government has sanctioned Rs 20.38 crore compensation money, official sources said on Monday.

A powerful squall, locally known as ‘Kalbaisakhi’, has left significant destruction in its wake across the Mayurbhanj district of Odisha. The storm has ravaged 51 villages spanning 13 blocks, affecting 8,547 residents, many of whom are in urgent need of assistance.

According to sources, severe weather event led to the destruction of approximately 3,538 homes and caused extensive damage to around 442 hectares of crucial agricultural and horticultural terrain. In light of the devastation, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister, Suresh Pujari has declared an assistance package of Rs 20.38 crore, aimed at aiding recovery efforts in the afflicted region.

“Surprisingly, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana has not yet reached many villages in the Mayurbhanj district. Had there been Pucca houses in place of the asbestos-roofed houses, then, so much damage would not have been caused to the households. A database was previously prepared and hopefully, the compensation money will be disbursed online to the affected people by this evening. We have sanctioned Rs 20.38 crore to the district,” Minister Pujari expressed.

“Massive damages were caused in some of the districts, including Bangiriposi and Bisoi blocks of Mayurbhanj. As final damage assessment reports are likely to get delayed, we had sought provisional reports from the District Collectors concerned,” the Minister stated in a presser.

“IMD had earlier alerted on hailstorm, lightning, and rainfall activities in several districts of Odisha between March 20 and 24. Acting on the weather alerts, we had made elaborate arrangements in all blocks and geared up the disaster management, fire services, and other departments to face the challenges,” the Minister said to mediapersons.