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One of the most severe cyclone since 1999 made its landfall at Gopalpur in Ganjam district of Odisha on the night of 12th October 2013. The cyclone with a wind speed of 210-220 kmph caused widespread destruction and damage. 900,000 people were evacuated and brought to 500 odd relief shelters in the affected districts of Odisha.
The cyclone damaged roads, telecommunications services, electricity poles, thatched and kaccha houses and uprooted trees. The Orissa Government’s rapid assessment team has reported that five lakh hectares of agriculture crops were destroyed, directly affecting the livelihood of the poor and the marginal communities. 12 districts covering 89 blocks, 39 towns, 1924 panchayats and 15315 villages have been affected.
EFICOR’s Relief team reached the affected areas the next day of the cyclone i.e Sunday, 13th October 2013 and interacted with the community and the government officials along with the Odisha Inter Agency Group (IAG) at Chikiti block to assess the needs. Another team went to Gopalpur block on 14th and 15th October 2013 to assess the teams.
EFICOR plans to support 2000 families with the food and non-food items. Food (dry rations) and nonfood items such as Tarpaulin, Blankets, Mosquito nets, clothes and sleeping mast are being provided on the basis of needs assessment. The relief materials would help alleviate the suffering of the affected people.
