Centre grants Rs 500 crore interim relief to flood-hit Orissa

After conducting an aerial survey of Orissa's deluge-hit regions, Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil on Tuesday rejected the state government's demand of declaring it a “national calamity” and announced an interim financial assistance of Rs 500 crore to the state government for relief operations.

"I had discussion with the state government officials and witnessed damage from the sky. I have made a declaration that Rs 500 crore will be given to the state government to provide relief measures and other things to the affected people," said Patil to the mediapersons after an aerial survey of the four worst affected districts of Puri, Cuttack, Kendrapada and Jagatsinghpur.

More financial help, if required, will be provided to the State after it submitted detailed reports on the damages caused by the floods in Mahanadi, its tributaries and other rivers to the Centre, Patil said after he was handed over a memorandum seeking a financial assistance of Rs 2454.30 crore by the state government for relief and rehabilitation work.

In reply to a query whether the flood in Orissa can be termed as “national disaster” Patil said, “There was nothing like national disaster.”

“If a big natural calamity has taken place, we try to give more help,” he added.

When asked how he would describe damages caused by flood in Orissa, he said: “A big natural calamity has occurred and lot of damages has been done.”

The Home Minister said the state government has launched relief operations for the flood-affected victims and provided temporary shelter till their houses are reconstructed. He said the Prime Minister could not visit the flood-affected areas since he is out of the country to attend the general body meeting of the UN.

In the memorandum the government asking for Rs 2454 crore financial assistance presented details of the damage: about 40 lakhs people were affected and above 4 lakhs hectares of crop land were submerged. The flood had caused breaches in 939 roads and 91 river embankments.

Responding to the request of the Government of Orissa, five comprehensive Naval Diving Teams with rescue equipments and medical supplies were pressed into action on Monday for rescue and relief operations in the flood affected areas along the Mahanadi River.

So far, the government stated, 35 people have been died owing to flood that has affected 40 lakh people in 18 districts. The toll, however, could go up as reports of boat capsize and snake bites at several places were pouring in on Tuesday evening.