Titli toll rises to 26 in Odisha

The Odisha government on Tuesday confirmed that the death toll in the very severe cyclonic storm Titli and subsequent flooding in the state has increased to 26, while 57 lakh people have been affected.

“Eighteen victims were reported in Gajapati district alone. Of these, 15 were killed in a landslide in Baraghara village,” said Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Bishnupada Sethi.

Three deaths were reported in Ganjam and one each from Angul, Cuttack, Keonjhar, Nayagarh and Kandhamal districts, said the SRC.

The district collectors have been asked to sanction ~4 lakh ex-gratia each to the victims’ next of kin, Sethi said.

He said about 900 km of roads in 35 blocks of Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada and Kandhamal have been severely damaged while 1.48 lakh hectares of paddy crops in these districts were completely destroyed.

The concerned departments will submit a preliminary report on damage assessment by Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik, who turned 72, on Tuesday, has announced not to celebrate the birthday in view of the large-scale destruction and human casualties due to cyclone Titli and the subsequent flood.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi wished Patnaik on Twitter.

“Best wishes to Odisha CM Shri Naveen Patnaik Ji on his birthday. Naveen Ji is one of Indias senior-most leaders who has been serving the people of Odisha for many years. May he lead a long and healthy life. @Naveen_Odisha,” he tweeted.

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