A damaged hut at Rajkanika block of Kendrapara. Telegraph picture

Kendrapara, March 18: Residents of Rajkanika and Aul blocks of the coastal district are left to fend for themselves with the government offering no succour to thunderstorm victims.

Over 650 houses, either with thatched or asbestos roofs, were damaged in 22 gram panchayats of the blocks yesterday. Nearly 50 families were rendered homeless as storm accompanied by rain and gusty wind blew away thatched roofs, uprooted hundreds of trees roadside and electric poles.

The damage assessment is the sole work that the government has taken up. No relief has reached the villages. The victims are yet to receive a polythene cover.

Despite the exigency of the situation, the administration for strange reason has not undertaken relief distribution process as yet, alleged chief of district unit of the Congress Debendra Nath Sharma.

Though the road connectivity has been restored with clearing of the uprooted trees, power supply is yet to be restored.

Rajkanika block development officer Basudeb Mahari, however, turned down the allegation. “Damage assessment is on in full swing. Revenue inspectors are on the job to enumerate the damaged houses. So far 565 houses were found to have suffered varying degree of damages. Twenty-five houses are badly damaged. Relief and other government help will reach the affected people on the basis of the inspectors’ reports,” Mahari said.

“The storm blew away asbestos roof of my house. I am yet to receive a polythene cover. In fact, the victims themselves had cleared the road of the uprooted trees. It’s because of people’s efforts that road communication could be restored today,” said Basant Gadanayak, an Olaver villager.