Suresh Pujari Leads Relief Drive Amid Whirlwind Aftermath
A whirlwind that struck Karanjia block in Mayurbhanj district on March 15, 2026, left five gram panchayats and nine villages reeling.
Over 3,200 people were affected, with 2,200 safely evacuated. The storm damaged 512 houses, prompting the state government to launch immediate relief measures.
Revenue & Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari, despite ill health, chaired a high‑level review meeting and directed officials to ensure rapid assistance.
Nine nodal officers were appointed to oversee damage assessment and compensation distribution.
The government released Rs 5.70 crore from the State Disaster Management Fund to support house reconstruction, provide clothes and utensils, and run relief camps.
Six centres have been serving cooked food since the night of the disaster, while polythene sheets, drinking water, medical teams, and fire service squads have been deployed.
Additional Chief Secretary Dr Arabinda Kumar Padhee is supervising operations, and the Additional Special Relief Commissioner visited affected areas on March 16 for ground assessment.
Ministers and senior officials, including Forest & Environment Minister Ganesh Ram Singkhuntia and Special Relief Commissioner Rajesh Prabhakar Patil, joined the review to coordinate the response.
The swift mobilisation underscores Odisha’s commitment to supporting cyclone‑hit families and restoring normalcy in Mayurbhanj.
