Odisha pegs flood loss at Rs 218 crore

Bhubaneswar Aug 9 (IANS) The Odisha government has estimated the cost of the destruction due to floods in five districts at Rs 218.72 crore a report said on Wednesday.

The flood assessment report based on inputs from different departments covered the losses in Kalahandi Koraput Rayagada Malkangiri and Nabarangpur where floods wreaked havoc between July 15 and 19.

According to the report prepared by the Special Relief Commissioner damages totalling Rs 25.37 crore were attributed to the Water Resources Department including collapse of river and canal embankments (Rs 1.75 crore) irrigation projects (Rs 20.10 crore) and Rs 3.51 crore in lift irrigation projects.

While Rs 60.79 crore loss occurred to the Works department the Energy department saw Rs 4.63 crore loss Rural Development department Rs 48 crore Panchayati Raj department Rs 49.98 crore and Rs 67.35 lakh of losses were borne by the Animal Resources department.

The total damage to individual houses has been estimated at Rs 7.22 crore. Similarly 23 991 hectares of agricultural land was destroyed in the floods the report said.

"We have sent the report to the Centre. Besides we have sought the Centre s assistance in reinstating railway bridges national highways and telephone line connections damaged during the floods " said Special Relief Commissioner Bishnupada Sethi.

--IANS
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