Cyclone shelter worry for seaside Jagatsinghpur villages

The fear of Super Cyclone, which left a trail of destruction in Jagatsinghpur in 1999, continues to haunt people of the coastal villages in the district where the safety of cyclone shelters stil
Cyclone shelter worry for seaside Jagatsinghpur villages

JAGATSINGHPUR: The fear of Super Cyclone, which left a trail of destruction in Jagatsinghpur in 1999, continues to haunt people of the coastal villages in the district where the safety of cyclone shelters still remains a distant dream. Though 18 years have passed since the tragedy, many villages of Erasama and Balikuda blocks, situated within 1 km radius from sea, lack cyclone shelters, leaving thousands of people panic-stricken. Nearly 150 seaside villages of the district have no cyclone shelters.

Moreover, steps are not being taken to repair old cyclone shelters despite several reminders to the district administration and Odisha State Disaster Mitigation Authority (OSDMA). Villagers of Dahibar, Sahadabedi, Sailo Bhajakhia, Sarbant, Deokani and Kholap of Erasama block are living in perpetual fear without cyclone shelters. As per reports, a proposal was sent to the State Government for construction of another 16 cyclone shelters in Erasama in 2015. Sources said while funds were provided to Rural Development department for erection of only three cyclone shelters at Dahibar, Sahadabedi, Sailo Bhajakhia, construction work of two is at halfway stage due to negligence of RD department officials.

After the Super Cyclone, nearly 593 cyclone shelters, including 26 multipurpose ones, were established in the district. Later, IIT-Kharagpur conducted a survey and suggested establishment of another 122 shelters in the seaside villages. However, the recommendation is yet to be implemented.
Similarly, 27 villages of the district have been identified as tsunami-prone areas. But Early Warning Dissemination System (EWDS) are yet to be set up for preparedness of the vulnerable villagers.
Of the 593 cyclone shelters, 150 are in a bad shape and dilapidated condition. While some have developed cracks on roof, doors and windows of others have been damaged. While the buildings require maintenance, the State Government is not willing to bear the maintenance cost, sources said.

The State Government has been observing Disaster Preparedness Day and National Day for Disaster Reduction in memory of victims of the Super Cyclone by conducting awareness rallies, mock drills and competition among school students. Without adequate infrastructure, cyclone shelters and warning systems, there is no point in observing the day, said residents of the affected villages.
Villagers of Dahibar said the highest of 587 people were killed in Super Cyclone as the entire village was submerged by tidal waves. “We are living in panic due to lack of cyclone shelter,” they said.
Contacted, Block Development Officer of Erasama Kailash Behera confessed that there is requirement of cyclone shelters in seaside villages. “We have conducted a review on the progress of work on cyclone shelters,” he added.

Related Stories

No stories found.
The New Indian Express
www.newindianexpress.com