Odisha flood: Central team arrives to assess damage

A Central team arrived in Odisha Monday to assess the damage caused by cyclone Phailin and subsequent floods, an official said.

The 11-member inter-ministerial team, led by Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs Rashmi Goel, arrived here and will visit the worst-hit areas later in the day, the state's special relief commissioner P.K. Mohapatra told reporters.

The team shall be divided into two groups and will visit the most affected districts like Ganjam, Puri, Balasore and Mayurbhanj in helicopters, he said.

The state government which had sought Rs.4,242.41 crore from the central government for the damage caused by cyclone Phailin and subsequent floods, handed over a supplementary memorandum of Rs.1,592 crore to the team.

The team will remain in the state until the month's end. During its stay it will make an on-the-spot assessment of the damage.

Meanwhile the flood situation in the state eased Monday but thousands of victims remained in the relief camps, as their homes were either damaged or submerged.

"Everything is normal today (Monday). There is no apprehension of further floods. Flood waters are receding in most of the areas," Mohapatra added.

The state experienced heavy rainfall and flooding when cyclone Phailin made landfall Oct 12 and subsequently because of the low pressure over the Bay of Bengal.

There was no rain Monday in many of the affected areas and some places witnessed sunlight after several cloudy days.

Authorities Saturday confirmed seven more deaths in flood-related incidents, taking the toll to 60.