Naveen Patnaik To Visit Cyclone-Hit Ganjam, Hinjili On Saturday

Bhubaneswar: BJD president and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik will visit cyclone and flood-hit Ganjam district on Saturday to assess the damage caused by Cyclone Arnab and subsequent floods.

According to the BJD, Patnaik will visit Hinjili, Sheragada, Aska and Sorada blocks and interact with affected residents to take stock of the damage and relief measures.

The visit comes amid criticism from the ruling BJP over his absence from the affected areas during the disaster. Earlier, the BJD chief had spoken to the Ganjam Collector and deputed a party delegation to assess the ground situation.

Meanwhile, an eight-member Central team has visited the affected areas. The Odisha government has sought Rs 2,526 crore in central assistance for relief and rehabilitation in Ganjam, Gajapati and Kandhamal districts.