Tidal waves destroy 30 houses in Odisha

The district administration has shifted the affected families to the nearby cyclone-shelter center as a safety measure. The tehsildar, Ganjam was in the village to monitor the situation after the incident yesterday.

"We have shifted the affected families. The others will be provided polythene-sheets," said District Collector Krishan Kumar.

"We are keeping an eye on the situation. Necessary steps will be taken to ensure their safety," said another officer who was monitoring the situation in the fishermen dominated village.

"Several fishing nets, household materials have already been lost when the sea water entered the houses," said L Rameya, one of the affected persons.

"We are in grip of fear as the sea is rough ahead of the full moon day. We anticipate the sea erosion to take place rapidly in next two days," feared B Kali, another affected person in the village with a population of over 1,000.

The villagers alleged they were bearing brunt of the fury of the sea while the government did not take any step for their safety. The district administration, however, said around 148 fishermen of the village would be shifted to a safer place permanently.

Around 5.40 acres of land have been acquired at Padagada to rehabilitate them, sources said. "We have already constructed the road and drains there. The other facilities like the electricity and drinking water will be provided", said a government officer.

Former Sarpanch Dillip Chhotray demanded that all the families of the village be shifted. Around 380 families are inhabiting in the village. "Since the entire village is facing threat of erosion, all the families need to be shifted to safe places," he said. PTI