Flood-hit villagers in Kendrapara district are shying away from rebuilding their ravaged houses in the recent deluge and are, instead, waiting for government assistance.
With life limping back to normalcy in many areas, the villagers were found to be keeping the damaged portions of their houses intact till government officials document the damage.
"Around 3,611 mud-walled houses have collapsed and there are reports of more houses being damaged. The exact number is being ascertained. The enumeration process is being carried out by tehsildars and block development officers in affected areas," Kendrapara District Emergency Officer Rajani Kanta Mohanty said.
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Reports indicate people have largely opted to not repair their buildings and clean up their property, to ensure that compensation does not elude them. Some of them have the resources to repay the damage but are yet to undertake repairs, Mohanty said. Revenue inspectors (RIs) have been directed to make an on-the-spot assessment of the number of houses damaged in the heavy rains and submit a detailed report within a couple of days. The entire process would be video-graphed, Collector Pramod Kumar Das said.
Raghunath Sahu, a native of Ayatpur village, said: "We are awaiting the visit of the RI so that we are covered under the compensation scheme. Till his arrival, we have decided to keep the signs of damages intact."
