(Top) Equipment for search and rescue operation being displayed at an exhibition on disaster management in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday (and) a Hudhud-ravaged house in Malkangiri. Telegraph pictures

Bhubaneswar, Oct. 29: The state government is yet to submit its memorandum to the Centre on the losses it has incurred due to cyclone Hudhud that struck the state on October 12.

Around four districts had been severely affected by the cyclone that claimed three human lives.

“The primary reason for the delay is inability on the part of various departments to send the required data on time,” said an official associated with the preparation of the memorandum.

Though the state government had sought an interim assistance of Rs 500 crore from the National Disaster Response Fund, the Centre is yet to release any assistance to the state.

Special relief commissioner P.K. Mohapatra said: “The report is almost ready. With the government’s approval, it will be sent to the Centre shortly.”

Incidentally, the state government today observed the Disaster Preparedness Day and National Day for Disaster Reduction.

Fifteen years ago in 1999 on this day, the state was devastated by a super cyclone, which had claimed around 1,000 human lives. The state government has been observing this day to remember the tragic event and prepare the state to face calamities in the future.

“Our preparations for cyclone Hudhud, which struck the state on October 12, was foolproof. This was possible due to proper planning, preparedness and continuous capacity building for the past 15 years,” said chief minister Naveen Patnaik while addressing a state-level event marking the occasion.

Naveen claimed that the state government had ensured adequate preparedness on time. “As a result, the human casualty was restricted to the minimum,” he said.

Naveen said his government had constructed 350 multi-purpose cyclone and flood shelters and another 459 shelter buildings were under construction.

Construction of 30,000 disaster resistant houses with the World Bank finance was under progress in the Phailin-affected districts of Ganjam.

The chief minister said more than 2.47 lakh people were evacuated and taken to safe shelters. Sixteen units of the National Disaster Response Force, 10 units of the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force and 1,265 fire service personnel were deployed in rescue operation.

“Even though there was extensive damage to private houses, agriculture and public infrastructure, lives were saved due to adequate preparedness,” he said.

Construction of 30,000 disaster resistant houses was under progress in Phailin-affected districts of Ganjam, Puri and Khurda under World Bank-funded Odisha Disaster Recovery Project, in the aftermath of the severe cyclone that hit the state on October 12 last year.