A central team is scheduled to visit Odisha from November 2 to 4 to assess the damage caused by Cyclone Arnab and the subsequent heavy rainfall and flooding. The assessment will focus on three affected districts: Ganjam, Gajapati and Kandhamal.
The team will be led by Ravi Shankar, Joint Secretary in the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. Its findings will help the Central Government evaluate the extent of the damage and determine the financial assistance required by the state.
According to reports, the team leader is scheduled to reach Bhubaneswar on Monday evening, November 2. Other members are expected to arrive either later that evening or on November 3. After discussions with state government officials, the team will visit the affected areas according to a schedule prepared by the state administration.
Three Districts to Be Covered During the Assessment
The central team will inspect cyclone-affected areas in Ganjam, Gajapati and Kandhamal, where heavy rainfall and flooding have caused damage.
The assessment will cover multiple sectors, including:
- Agricultural land and crop damage
- Roads and other infrastructure
- Electricity and power supply
- Water resources and related facilities
- Relief, rescue and rehabilitation operations
The field inspection is intended to provide a clearer picture of the losses suffered by residents, farmers and public infrastructure.
Central Report to Help Determine Financial Assistance
Following the field visits, the central team will prepare its assessment report. The Odisha Government will also submit its preliminary damage report to the Centre.
Both reports will be examined before the Central Government decides on the financial assistance to be provided to the state. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has said that the final assistance will be based on the assessment of the damage and the discussions between the central team and state officials.
The amount of central assistance has not yet been finalised. The assessment process is therefore an important step in determining the support required for recovery and restoration in the affected districts.
Odisha Continues Cyclone Relief and Restoration Work
While the central assessment is being organised, the Odisha Government is continuing relief and restoration activities in cyclone-affected areas. The state has also announced a special assistance package for affected families and farmers.
Under the announced package, each affected family will receive 50 kg of rice and financial assistance of ₹2,500. Farmers whose crops have suffered losses of 33 per cent or more will be eligible for agricultural input subsidies, subject to the applicable conditions.
The central team’s visit is expected to provide a detailed assessment of the losses and help the Centre decide the level of additional financial support required by Odisha.
Assessment to Guide Odisha’s Recovery
The inspection of Ganjam, Gajapati and Kandhamal will be an important part of the post-cyclone damage assessment. The reports submitted by the central team and the state government will help establish the extent of losses across different sectors.
The final decision on central financial assistance will be taken after the assessment reports are examined.
