Vivekananda Kendra started relief work in "Phailin cyclone" affected area in Odisha under the guidence of Odisha Prant Sangathak - Ravi Naidu. Here is brief report.
It is the worst affected district due to the direct impact of Phailin cyclone. Due to the high winds the entire power infrastructure of the district has been destroyed and the administration is trying to reinstall new transformers in a number of places and even entire substations in a few places. Hence the process may take longer time to get electricity.
The second impact of the high winds is that all the people with thatched and tin/ Asbestos sheet houses have lost their houses. All trees in Brahmapur have vanished. Only the RCC structures are standing.
After the initial survey with the help of our wellwishers involved actively with the local relief work, we had decided to provide small kerosene lamps to 1800 households, with the local collections. Accordingly we procured the same in bulk from Raipur and distribution of the same is in process.
In all the above villages some or the other initial help from the Govt. has reached, basically food and plastic sheets.
Our plan is to provide them with Solar lamps ( 1 per Household), Blankets and other clothing material in view of the approaching cold ( at least 3 per household) and for the fishermen village small boat (@ 5000/-) or fishing net (@2500) for selected households who have suffered loss of net or boat.
BALESWAR:
Baripada and Baleswar suffered not much due to direct impact of the cyclone but due to the high rains caused in the upper reaches of Simlipal reserve forest. This caused flash floods when people or Administration was not geared up to deal with it. So high were the rains that in one night rainfall all the rivers flowing out from Simlipal were flooded and even before people could realise, water inundated them. Baripada was the worst hit due to the floods, with some village totally wiped out. Even Baripada town where nobody living recollect seeing or hearing of such a flood, was inundate with water level upto 1st floor of most houses. All businesses have suffered great losses.
In Baleswar, Baripada also similar help is needed. Additionally, we need to provide cement, bricks to the people whose house have collapsed. A detailed work is in progress. Medical camps are also planned in villages.
