Toll in Cyclone Titli in Odisha rises to 61

BHUBANESWAR: The toll in Cyclone Titli and the subsequent floods in Odisha rose to 61, with the state government confirming four more casualties on Saturday and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik directing officials to complete restoration work within the stipulated time.

Reports of death of 11 more people were being verified at district level, Chief Secretary A P Padhi said after a review of relief and restoration activities in the 17 affected districts.

He said four more people had died in the cyclone and the resultant floods that had struck Odisha and neighbouring districts of Andhra Pradesh on October 11. Of the 61 deaths confirmed so far, Padhi said three were fishermen from the neighbouring Andhra Pradesh. They died while fishing near Odisha coast and the bodies were recovered, he said.

The state government has submitted a preliminary report to the Centre on the damage caused by the cyclone and the flood, he said, adding it has sought Rs 1,000 crore as interim assistance.

Patnaik reviewed the ongoing restoration work in the affected districts and directed secretaries of various departments to take up relief efforts on a war-footing.

A senior official said that Patnaik had instructed that rebuilding of roads, drinking water facilities, power supply and damage assessment should be completed soon.

The chief minister would send independent observers to the affected areas to oversee completion of restoration work, he said.