Odisha Minister Suresh Pujari announced on Saturday that restoration efforts in the state are nearing completion after Cyclone Dana struck the coastal regions.
Speaking with ANI, Pujari noted, “Such a large level of successful evacuation is rare in history. There were no casualties reported… We moved all the pregnant women safely to the PHCs and CHCs… The deployment of police officers was also the largest in the history of Odisha. The restoration work is about to be completed.”
Pujari highlighted that transport systems are now functional. “The rail, road, and air connectivity are back to normal. We have got the preliminary assessment of all the damage… The people can stay in the relief centres till they are not able to return to their houses,” he added.
Must Read: Cyclone Dana Hits Odisha, CM Confirms Zero Casualties Due to Effective Disaster Management
Cyclone Dana hit the Odisha coast on Friday, bringing down trees, damaging power lines across several areas, and resulting in one fatality in West Bengal. The storm made landfall between Bhitarkanika and Dhamra in Odisha, with wind speeds reaching 100-110 kmph.
Odisha’s Chief Minister shared that 4,431 pregnant women were relocated to health facilities, with 1,600 childbirths recorded—all mothers and babies in good health. “With Lord Jagannath’s blessings, we will successfully overcome the cyclone,” he added, stressing that the situation is under round-the-clock monitoring.
Addressing a press conference, CM Majhi shared, “Odisha is safe now. After the landfall of the cyclone, I reviewed the situation, and due to teamwork, we achieved zero casualties. We had evacuated eight lakh people. Many relief centres are still open. Restoration of electric wires is going on. We are facing problems due to continuous rain. Crops of 1.75 lakh hectares have been damaged. The Budhabalanga River is flooded but it is flowing below the danger level.”
Deputy Chief Minister KV Singh Deo also underscored the efforts made, emphasizing that “There has been zero casualty. One cattle was reported lost. Restoration works have been done. 90 percent of electricity damage has been restored. All government officers have done their work properly. We have given instructions to submit their damage reports.”
In addition, CDMO Jajpur, Shibasish Moharana, reported that 163 deliveries took place during the cyclone in the district.
Also Read: Cyclone Dana: Netizens Post Shocking Videos of Devastating Heavy Rain
