People protest as Odisha struggles to restore normalcy post cyclone

Demonstrators alleged lackadaisical attitude of the officials engaged in the restoration work and said that there was a lack of management and coordination among various government agencies, thereby compounding the miseries of the cyclone-affected people.

Bhubaneswar (Odisha):With lakhs of people still grappling with water shortage and snapped power supply even nine days after Cyclone Fani ravaged the coastal state of Odisha, disgruntled public blocked roads across the state on Sunday, including the state capital Bhubaneswar, demanding a quick solution to their issues.

"We are forced to hit the road as the government has failed to provide basic necessities such as water and power despite having promised to restore power supply by May 12," said a woman who joined a road blockade at Nuagaon.

"There is a limit to our patients. We are made to spend sleepless nights. We have to purchase drinking water at exorbitant prices," said another protester.

Demonstrators alleged lackadaisical attitude of the officials engaged in the restoration work and said that there was a lack of management and coordination among various government agencies, thereby compounding the miseries of the cyclone-affected people.

Contrary to the government claims, a large number of areas continue to remain without electricity since May 3, which is when the cyclone made landfall near Puri.

The extremely severe cyclone has killed 43 people, affected over 1.5 crore people.

Information and Public Relations Secretary Sanjay Singh maintained that electricity will be restored in all areas of Bhubaneswar by Monday.

He also said water has been made available in all parts of the state capital.

Energy Secretary Hemant Sharma said 90 percent of consumers will be able to get electricity by Monday and restoration work is in progress on a war footing.

"As extensive damage was caused to power infrastructure, we are working on a war footing with 7,000 power technicians from other states," he said.

The cyclone unleashed copious rain and windstorms that gusted up to 240 kmph on May 3, blowing away thatched houses and swamping towns and villages in Odisha.

The state government has announced Rs 1,600-crore package for livelihood support to farmers, fishermen and others affected by Cyclone Fani.