Bhubaneswar, 12 August (H.S.): The Odisha government has released Rs 136 crore to flood-affected districts for relief and rehabilitation, while authorities have so far reported damage to 5,044 houses, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said on Wednesday.

Pujari said relief operations were continuing across the affected districts and additional funds would be released based on the final assessment of the damage.

“Till now, Rs 136 crore has been released to flood-affected districts in Odisha. Complete reports have been received from some districts, while reports from others are still awaited,” the minister told reporters.

He said floodwaters had not completely receded from some areas and a comprehensive assessment would be undertaken after final reports were received from all affected districts.

In the first phase, the government released Rs 110 crore. Balasore received Rs 22 crore, while Jajpur and Bhadrak were allocated Rs 20 crore each. Sundargarh, Rayagada and Malkangiri received Rs 1 crore each.

A further Rs 26 crore was subsequently released. Bhadrak received an additional Rs 5 crore, Jajpur Rs 5 crore, Keonjhar Rs 5 crore, Balasore Rs 5 crore, Jagatsinghpur Rs 2 crore, Cuttack Rs 2 crore and Mayurbhanj Rs 2 crore.

As part of the relief operations, 90.5 quintals of rice, 2,692 quintals of chuda (flattened rice) and 356.3 quintals of jaggery have been supplied or utilised. The government has also provided 1,729 metric tonnes of animal feed for livestock in the affected areas.

Pujari said 8,708 polythene sheets had been distributed to families whose houses were damaged in the floods.

For rescue and emergency response, 18 ODRAF teams, seven NDRF teams and 140 Fire Services teams have been deployed in the affected areas.

The government is also preparing a special package for farmers and other affected sectors. Pujari said he had discussed the matter with officials of the Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment Department on Tuesday, while the proposed package was also discussed at the Cabinet meeting on Wednesday.

“There is sufficient stock of paddy seeds and we are sending them to the affected districts,” he said.

The Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment Department, Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Department and Co-operation Department are working jointly on the special package, which is expected to be announced shortly.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda