Odisha Launches Rapid Damage Survey after Cyclone Montha |

Bhubaneswar : Following the impact of Cyclone Montha, Odisha Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari conducted a detailed review of the situation and directed immediate damage assessment across affected districts.

Starting Thursday, district collectors have been instructed to initiate surveys of crop and property damage, with a deadline of 72 hours to submit comprehensive reports.

Officials will assess agricultural losses and structural damage, including collapsed walls and homes. In areas where houses have been damaged, polythene sheets have already been distributed as temporary relief. Compensation will be provided after verification, and beneficiaries are required to submit bank account details to facilitate direct online transfers.

If additional manpower is needed, government employees from other districts will be deployed to expedite the process. The state has emphasized swift and transparent relief distribution, aiming to complete the compensation process promptly.

Cyclone Montha triggered heavy rainfall in several regions, with Gosani block in Gajapati district receiving the highest at 150 mm rainfall. As many as 56 blocks reported rainfall between 50 to 100 mm.

A total of 161 teams were deployed for cyclone response, and 2,164 shelter centres accommodated over 19,000 evacuees, including 2,189 pregnant women. Despite efforts to maintain uninterrupted power supply, restoration work is still ongoing in some areas. Roads have been cleared of fallen trees, and 33 blocks along with 11 urban zones were affected.

Cooked meals were provided to 18,762 people across 362 locations. Authorities remain on alert until October 31 due to the possibility of further rainfall in some regions.

“On this day, October 29, the devastating super cyclone of 1999 had struck. According to IMD’s earlier forecast, Cyclone Montha was also expected to make landfall on October 29. However, Odisha was spared from the potential cyclone as it changed its course and moved towards Jharkhand, merely brushing past Odisha’s border,” Pujari signed off.