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More flee coastal Orissa
after cyclone threat

With memories of last year's Super Cyclone still fresh in Jagatsinghpur district, people in Paradip, Ersama and Balikuda have been fleeing their homes following the threat of a cyclonic storm in coastal Orissa.

A top state government official admitted that many people were leaving their villages on Monday, in panic, following the threat of another cyclonic storm.

Sources in Ersama block, worst affected by the Super Cyclone, said that most villagers in over two dozen villages, including Japa, Ambiki, Dhobal, Dhobara, Bhagadi and Kankana have left their houses in fear, and have headed to Tirtol and other 'safer' places.

"People who have witnessed the devastation and lost near and dear ones last year do not want to take any risk this time," Ersama legislator Damodar Rout told rediff.com.

Only one house has been completed, despite state government claims that Indira Awas Yojna houses were constructed in Ambiki village, Ersama. Ambiki village made national headlines during the Super Cyclone as nearly two-thirds of the villagers were washed away.

Though Ambiki was 'allotted' 120 houses under the government scheme, almost all villagers have deserted the village.

People living in coastal Kenderapara, Jagatsinghpur and Puri are also shifting.

In Paradip town, markets and government offices were deserted from Monday afternoon.

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