Cyclone Fani: Odisha death toll rises to 41

Bhubaneswar:  The death toll in Odisha so far due to cyclone Fani has increased to 41, even as people are struggling to get electricity amidst the gruelling summer, which has made life more miserable.

The increase in the number of human casualties in the state to 41, was conveyed to the media by state Information and Public Relations Secretary S.K. Singh.

The office of Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) said that the livestock casualty number stands at 21,769,98.

The state administration is still struggling to restore electricity in the worst affected Puri and parts of Khurdha district, including in the state capital Bhubaneswar. The rising temperature in the state has added to the people’s woes.

“Electricity service in 80 per cent areas of Bhubaneswar is likely to be restored by May 10. Entire city may get electricity by May 12,” said Singh.

He said power supply restoration in Puri city would start from May 12 and it would take time to restore supply to the entire district because of the massive damage caused by the cyclone.

The cyclonic storm has damaged numerous electricity towers, four 220 KV grids at Chandaka, Bidanasi, Samagra and Mendhasala, and four 132 KV grids at Puri, Nimapada, Mancheswar and Ransinghpur.

Besides, 5,030 km of 33 KV lines, 38,613 km of 11 KV lines, 11,077 distribution transformers and 79,485 km of LT lines have been damaged, officials said.

Published on: May 8, 2019 at 15:26 IST

IANS