Ganjam cyclone aid inadequate: Naveen

Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik on Saturday alleged that people affected by cyclone Arnab and subsequent floods in Ganjam district had been left helpless, claiming that the assistance announced by the State government was negligible compared to their losses. Patnaik made the remarks after visiting flood-hit areas, including Sheragada and his constituency, Hinjili.

“The situation is not good in Sheragada and Hinjili. I heard the suffering of farmers. The damage caused by the floods brought by cyclone Arnab is unimaginable. Farmers are distressed and need immediate help. I have asked the administration to immediately provide compensation to the affected people,” the former chief minister told reporters.

In a social media post after visiting the district, Patnaik said the situation in Asika was “unspeakable” and alleged that the government had left flood-hit people helpless. “The aid announced is negligible compared to the losses,” he said.

Patnaik has represented the Hinjili Assembly constituency for six consecutive terms since 2000. Later, the BJD chief visited Tatabali in Sorada block before proceeding to Baligochha. During the visit, he reviewed post-flood relief and restoration measures and assured affected people of his support. Meanwhile, Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Minister Gokulananda Mallik accused the BJD of indulging in politics during a disaster, claiming that people in Hinjili raised slogans of “Naveen Go Back” during Patnaik’s visit. “People in Hinjili are now asking where their MLA was when they were struggling during the cyclone,” Mallik told reporters.

Responding to the BJP leader’s allegations, the BJD said Patnaik continuously monitored the situation since the IMD issued a red alert for heavy rainfall in Ganjam district on October 23, and remained in constant touch with the District Collector.

Separately, a Congress team, led by the party’s State president Bhakta Charan Das, visited flood-hit areas of Gajapati district and met affected families, farmers and relatives of those who died. Das described the devastation as heartbreaking and alleged that government assistance was inadequate. He demanded immediate compensation of at least 50 per cent of assessed crop losses and ex gratia assistance for each bereaved family. In a social media post, Das said he met families in Jiranga and Titli villages who lost their members in the disaster. “It is deeply distressing that they have not yet received even the initial Rs 4 lakh assistance. I demand immediate relief and Rs 20 lakh ex gratia compensation for each victim family,” he said.

At least 11 people have died in cyclone Arnab and the subsequent floods and landslides in southern Odisha, officials said.

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