Flood situation improves; Naveen calls for urgent reconstruction

Bhubaneswar, Sep 25 (UNI) Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today directed officials to complete the repair and reconstruction work in the flood-hit areas within 45 days and undertake enumeration of houses damaged within a fortnight.

Mr Patnaik issued the directions after reviewing the flood situation at a high-level meeting here.

Revenue Minister Manmohan Samal, who was present at the meeting, said more people would be deployed, if necessary, to complete the enumeration and restoration work within the time limit.

Revenue Secretary G V G Sharma said while the flood situation improved all over the state, the flood water entered Delanga and Kanas block of Puri and Kujanga area of Jagatsinghpur last night, affecting more than 41,000 people in 11 blocks.

Air dropping of food packets commenced in these areas to provide relief material to the marooned people.

Official sources said over 8 lakh people were still marooned.

The Revenue Secretary said the toll in the recent flood today rose to 56, with four more deaths reported each from Kalahandi and Cuttack.

Mr Sharma said house building assistance would be provided to the beneficiaries through A/C Payee cheques to check pilferage.

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