Bhubaneswar, Oct 19 [UDN}:The Odisha government has extended a helping hand to families affected by devastating floods in Kotpad block of Koraput district, bringing relief and renewed hope to people who have been struggling to recover from the disaster. The distribution of financial assistance for the reconstruction of damaged houses has begun, with the initial phase launched in Bikrampur village under Chandili Gram Panchayat.
According to reports, heavy rainfall triggered by a low-pressure system associated with Cyclone Arnab inundated several villages in Kotpad block, leaving residents surrounded by floodwaters for several days. More than 50 villages across the panchayat area were reportedly affected by the disaster. The floods caused extensive damage to agricultural land, destroying approximately 8,000 acres of paddy and other crops. In addition, more than 9,400 houses were reportedly damaged, leaving numerous families in distress and forcing many residents to endure difficult living conditions.
During the flood crisis, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari visited the affected areas to assess the situation. However, the absence of an immediate assistance announcement for affected farmers reportedly triggered criticism from farmers and opposition parties, who demanded timely compensation and support for the affected communities.
Responding to the plight of flood-affected families, the state government has announced that families whose houses were damaged or destroyed by the floods will receive assistance to construct new homes under government housing provisions. The initiative is intended to help vulnerable households rebuild their homes and return to normal life after suffering substantial losses.
As part of the first phase of the relief initiative, financial assistance has started reaching eligible families in Bikrampur village under Chandili Gram Panchayat. Each beneficiary family is being provided with ₹1.20 lakh for house construction, along with an additional ₹5,000 in financial assistance. The support is expected to help affected households begin rebuilding their homes and address some of the immediate challenges caused by the floods.
Kotpad MLA Rupu Bhatra has been participating in the distribution of assistance alongside party workers, helping facilitate the delivery of relief to affected residents. The commencement of financial support has brought visible relief to beneficiary families, many of whom have been waiting for assistance to recover from the extensive damage caused by the floods.
The government's housing assistance initiative represents an important step towards rehabilitation in the flood-affected areas of Kotpad. Residents are hopeful that the ongoing relief measures will help them overcome their hardships, rebuild damaged homes and restore their livelihoods.
Note: The figures and details above are based on the supplied Odia report; the reported damage figures and eligibility for assistance have not been independently verified.
