Cyclone Bulbul: 3 lakh hectare of crop affected in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: Nearly 3 lakh hectare of crop area including horticulture crops have been affected due to cyclone Bulbul in six coastal districts of Odisha.

While about 5500 houses have been damaged, power infrastructures were damaged in several places in the coastal districts following strong wind triggered by the cyclonic storm, which passed through the coastal areas on Saturday.   

The Odisha government has intensified its efforts for restoration of electricity supply in the coastal districts, which got affected by the cyclone Bulbul.

Severe cyclone Bulbul affected 16 lakh consumers in four coastal districts- Kendrapada, Jagatsighpur, Balasore and Bhadrak.

Situation report on effect of Cyclone Bulbul

•Five districts such as Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapada, Bhadrak Balasore and Mayurbhanj have been mostly affected due to cyclone ‘Bulbul’. District of Jajpur is also affected to some extent.

•Road clearance is complete in all the affected districts. NDRF, ODRAF and Fire Service teams substantially assisted in cutting down the fallen trees and clearing the roads.

•Status of restoration of electricity: Out of total nearly 16 lakh consumers affected due to the cyclone six affected districts Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapada, Bhadrak, Balasore, Mayurbhanj and Jajpur, electricity supply has since been restored to 15 lakh consumers (94%). The restoration of electricity is expected to be completed by 12th November 2019.

•Restoration of Rural Piped Water Supply: As many as 653 Piped Water Supply (PWS) systems had suffered break down in the districts of Bhardak, Balasore and Kendrapada due to electricity disruption.

Out of the same, 174 nos. of PWS have been restored after electricity restoration. Besides, 45 nos. of have been opeartionalised through Genset. Drinking water is being supplied in the remaining affcted areas through water tankers/ sintex tanks. Remaining PWSes are expected to be restored by 12th November.

•Evacuation and Shelter: As many as 8218 persons were evacuated in 5 districts namely Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapada, Bhadrak, Balasore, and Mayurbhanj districts and placed in 91 shelters. All of them have in the meantime returned to their home.

•House damage: As per the initial report, about 5500 houses have been damaged due to the cyclone. A detailed assessment of house damage will be completed within a week.

•Crop damage: As per preliminary estimation, nearly 3 lakh hectare of crop area including horticulture crops have been affected out of which about 2 Lakh hectare have suffered crop loss to the extent of 33% and above. Detailed inquiry of crop damage by the Joint Teams comprising of Agriculture and Revenue Department officials are expected to be completed within a week.

•Loss of livestock and Poultry: As per the preliminary report, 11 large animals, 5 small animals, and 50 poultry birds have been lost due to the cyclone.

•Human casualty: NIL

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik will make an aerial survey of the Bulbul affected districts on Monday afternoon and review damage and restoration measures at Loka Seva Bhavan in the evening