Jajpur, August 6 (Odisha.in ) A tornado wreaked havoc in some parts of state’s Jajpur district killing one woman and injuring ten others, three of them seriously and causing wide spread damage to houses, shops, schools, vehicles and communication network, official said Monday.
The gale, which continued for nearly three minutes, accompanied with heavy rain became furious as it got momentum Sunday evening.
While at least 50 cattle have been perished, over 300 houses, roofs of some schools and government offices also have been damaged in the cyclonic storm, a district administrative official said.
Sources said, Shasirekha Behuria (55) of Chandramuhan village under Binjharpur block died when a portion of wall collapsed on her. Three injured – Laxmipriya Ojha (45) and her two daughters – Mita (22) and Sasmita (20) have been admitted in SCB medical college and hospital at Cuttack in critical condition.
They were injured when wall collapsed on them after being hit by an uprooted tree. Five villages included Binjharpur, Chandramuhan, Raghunathpur and Jhinkira have been badly hit in the storm. Over 2000 villagers are homeless as the storm damaged the houses of around 300 families.
“While high-speed wind accompanied with rain uprooted many trees, electric poles, roofs of several thatched houses, schools and government establishments also were flown away. Supply of electricity and tele-communication facilities in these areas was also snapped,” said Kanhu Charan Dalei, a villager.
The district administration however took prompt action and provided polythene to the victims. They are now living under polythene roofedmake-shift camps.
We have provided 300 big polythenes to the victims. Affected people have also been supplied with flattened rice and molasses, Jajpur district Collector Sanjay Kumar Singh told Odisha.in .
We have also opened three free kitchens to provide flood hit people. We have also deputed three medical teams to take care of the health of the flood victims, he said.
Meanwhile, sub-collector Sushanta Mohanty, ADM and Binjharpur tahasildar have visited the villages on Monday.
The Collector however said the actual loss is yet to be ascertained. “A team of government officials including Tehsildar, BDO and revenue inspectors has been deputed for the cause and the damage assessment is underway,” Singh added.