Baripada,(Rasananda Behera) Mar 23: A giant hailstorm with hailstones weighing up to 2-3 kg hit 47 villages, leaving over 4,775 people affected. The storm destroyed 350 houses, damaged 306 others, and disrupted electricity and water services.
Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari visited the hardest-hit areas and announced that compensation would be credited to victims by evening, with direct cash transfers for those without Aadhaar-linked accounts. Relief centres are set up, and medical teams are treating the injured.
Journalist Manas Behera, posting on X platform, drew attention to the issue, stating, “If this had hit the rich or politicians, it would’ve been breaking news for days.” His post highlighted the struggles of poor families affected by the disaster.
Efforts to provide aid and restore services are underway as the government and community respond to this rare and destructive storm.
