UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has expressed sadness over the loss of lives and destruction caused in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh due to landslides and flooding following Cyclone Titli, saying the world body is ready to support the government’s response to the calamity.
“The Secretary-General is saddened by reports of death and injury in Odisha and Andha Pradesh states in India due to landslides and flooding following Cyclone Titli, a statement issued Monday by Guterres’ spokesman said.
Guterres said the UN stands in solidarity with the Government of India as it responds to this calamity and is ready to support the response.
The death toll in cyclone Titli, which made a landfall on October 11, and the subsequent flood in Odisha has risen to 27. A total of 3,60,353 people were evacuated and sheltered in 1,614 relief centres.
Millions of people have been affected in Odisha mainly in the worst-hit districts of Ganjam, Gajapati, and Rayagada, and thousands of houses were damaged in Andhra Pradesh.
After conducting an aerial survey on October 13, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has announced 15 days’ relief package for the cyclone and flood-affected people of Ganjam, Gajapati and Gunupur subdivisions of Rayagada district.
Air dropping of relief was initiated on Saturday.
Announcing the relief package, the CM said a family of four members on an average would be given an assistance of more than Rs 3000 over the 15 days. The assistance will be given at the rate of Rs 60 per adult and Rs 45 per child per day.
The CM added that a memorandum detailing the damage and the cost of restoration would be sent to the centre for financial assistance.
Special Relief Commissioner’s office informed that 46 lakh people were affected by Titli and the subsequent flood in 6341 villages of 11 districts of Gajapati, Ganjam, Rayagada, Kandhamal, Puri, Kendrapara, Keonjhar, Cuttack, Dhenkanal, Khorda and Jagatsinghpur.
Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has requested the Centre for an interim relief of Rs 1,200 crore for the restoration and rebuilding efforts of the affected areas.
In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Naidu wrote that Cyclone Titli has caused damages of around Rs 2,800 crore in the north-coastal areas of the state. He said that Srikakulam and Vizianagaram districts have been worst hit.
Listing out the damages, the CM said that maximum damage has been to horticulture with losses amounting to Rs 1,000 crore.
(With agency inputs)