Bhubaneswar: In the wake of Cyclone Titli, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday conducted an aerial survey of the flood-affected districts of Ganjam, Gajapati and Rayagada.
Speaking to media after conducting the survey, Patnaik said a relief package would soon be announced for those affected by the floods.
“Relief work and restoration are underway. I shall have a meeting this evening in Bhubaneswar after which I will announce a package for flood-affected people. Once we do a detailed research into this then we will decide how much fund to ask from the Centre,” he noted.
Two Naval Chetak helicopters which were positioned at AD College Gopalpur on Friday were deployed on Saturday morning to provide relief support to the Odisha government.
The helicopters are operating from Rangeilunda helipad and dropping food supply to accessible areas of Ganjam and Gajapati districts. About 19 locations identified by the district administration are being supplied food. Operations are being coordinated by Naval Officer in Charge (Odisha) on the ground. A naval diving team has been deployed at Aska for evacuation and to provide assistance as requested by the district administration. Diving teams have also been deployed at Ichapuram.
The ‘Very Severe Cyclonic Storm’, Titli has crossed the coast near Palasa in Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh to the southwest of Gopalpur with estimated maximum sustained surface wind speed of 140-150 kmph gusting to 165 kmph.
[source_without_link]ANI[/source_without_link]