Cyclone Dana: "Restoration In State Is About To Complete," Says Odisha Minister Suresh Pujari

Bhubaneswar, Oct 26: Odisha Minister Suresh Pujari said on Saturday that the restoration work in the state is about to be completed after cyclone Dana hit the coastal regions of the state.

Speaking to ANI, Odisha Minister Suresh Pujari said, "Such a large level of successful evacuation is rare in history. There were no casualties reported... We moved all the pregnant women safely to the PHCs and CHCs... The deployment of police officers was also the largest in the history of Odisha. The restoration work is about to be completed.'

He mentioned that the transport connections are back to normal. "The rail, road and air connectivity are back to normal. We have got the preliminary assessment of all the damage...The people can stay in the relief centres till they are not able to return to their houses," he added.

Cyclone 'Dana' hit the Odisha coast on Friday, uprooting trees, snapping power lines in several areas, and killing a person in West Bengal. The storm made landfall between Bhitarkanika and Dhamra in Odisha with wind speeds of 100-110 kmph.

Earlier, Odisha Chief Minister informed that 4431 pregnant women have been shifted to health centres, with 1600 childbirths reported, and all mothers and babies are healthy. The situation is being monitored 24/7. With Lord Jagannath's blessings, we will successfully overcome the cyclone.

Addressing a press conference, CM Majhi said that eight lakh people have been evacuated so far and restoration of electric wires is underway. He also informed me that the officials are facing problems due to continuous rain.

"Odisha is safe now. After the landfall of the cyclone, I reviewed the situation, and due to teamwork, we achieved zero casualties. We had evacuated eight lakh people. Many relief centres are still open. Restoration of electric wires is going on. We are facing problems due to continuous rain. Crops of 1.75 lakhs hector have been damaged. The Budhabalanga River is flooded but it is flowing below the danger level," he said.

Odisha Deputy CM KV Singh Deo also highlighted that there have been zero casualties and 90 percent of electricity damage has been restored.

"There has been zero casualty. One cattle was reported lost. Restoration works have been done. 90 percent of electricity damage has been restored. All government officers have done their work properly. We have given instructions to submit their damage reports," he said.

Meanwhile, CDMO Jajpur, Shibasish Moharana, said that 163 deliveries have happened during the cylone in the district. (ANI)