Hudhud spares primitive tribes in M'giri

BHUBANESWAR: The major safety concern of primitive tribes staying in difficult terrains of Malkangiri was over as cyclone Hudhud's impact was far less compared to predictions in the southern Odisha district. The administration, however, is still on its toes as heavy rainfall is predicted in the area till Monday.
Malkangiri district collector D Prasanth Kumar Reddy said it has been a comforting factor to note that the intensity of the cyclone has been far less than was predicted."But we are alert as heavy rain is forewarned by Monday. Over 12,000 people have been evacuated. No loss of life or major damage to property has been reported so far," Reddy told TOI.
Reddy, however, cautioned that since the impact of cyclone is yet to completely traverse the district, it would be too early to say anything conclusive about the possible impact.
Bonda hills, the habitat of particularly vulnerable tribal group (PVTG) Bondas, remained almost unscathed in the cyclone, though the government had considered the area as one that could be among the worst-hit.
Chitrakonda MLA Dambarudhar Sisa, a Bonda himself, who extensively toured the Bonda villages on Sunday, said except for isolated incidents of falling of trees at some villages in Andrahal panchayat, there was no major damage.
"The wind speed was not so high, while rain so far has also been light. But we have kept our fingers crossed for the night," said Sisa, adding that the government has evacuated about 300 Bondas, only women, to the Government High School at Mudulipada. "There is a need of a free kitchen in Andrahal panchayat," he said.
About 7,000 Bondas stay in 32 villages of Mudulipada and Andrahal panchayats under Khairaput block.
Another concern area, the cut-off region of the district, witnessed rain, accompanied by wind up to 60-80 km by 7 pm, far less than anticipated. "The situation as of now remains completely under control with the scale of storm and rain remaining well below our preparedness level. The biggest problem is complete power blackout. If there is a heavy downpour, it may cause trouble," said Kudumuluguma block development officer Karunakar Pradhan.
Over 30,000 people in eight gram panchayats of Kudumuluguma block are cut off from the mainland by the Balimela reservoir and are inaccessible.
The government agencies have evacuated 700 members of endangered primitive tribe Didayi from Baipada, Damodarpada, Churipada and Gajipadara hamlets under Oring and Kudumulguma panchayats. They have been placed in Purunaguma Sevashram Residential School.