Power services in cyclone-hit areas of Odisha, Bengal restored

Power services in cyclone 'Bulbul' hit areas in West Bengal and Odisha have been restored on Monday, while telecommunication links are expected to be back soon.

This was conveyed at a meeting of National Crisis Manment Committee (NCMC), chaired by Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba, which took stock of relief and restoration works in aftermath of cyclone over West Bengal and Odisha. West Bengal reported seven human casualties, dams to about one lakh houses and standing crops, an official statement said. While electricity has been restored, telecom services are expected to be restored shortly.

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Though human casualty was reported from Odisha, re has been extensive dam to standing crops in over two lakhs hectares. Power and water supplies have been restored barring a few areas where services are expected to be resumed by Tuesday, statement said. NCMC assured all central assistance in terms of ditional stocks of food items, drinking water, health services as well as restoration of telecom and power services.

Central teams would be visiting affected areas in both states within this week to take stock of dams. Both states indicated that y are carrying out detailed assessment after which y may seek specific central assistance, if required.

It may be recalled that IMD h provided regular and timely alerts on a sustained basis about cyclone to states. Concerned central ncies including National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Coast Guard etc have been fully involved in rescue and relief operations, statement said.

Senior officers of ministries of Home, Defence, Power, Telecommunications, Agriculture and Cooperation, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Food Processing Industries, Health and Family Welfare, as well as those from NDRF and National Disaster Manment Authority attended meeting. Senior officers from West Bengal and Odisha participated in meeting through video conference. 

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