About 14,514 villages in 12 districts have been affected, hitting a population of 80,53,620 given details of the devastation caused by the cyclone:Odisha Revenue Minister Surjya Narayan Patro

Bhubaneswar:14/10/13:Phailin', a very severe cyclonic storm on last Saturday struck the Odisha, bringing in its wake hammering rains and wind speeds of near about 200 to 220 kmph in costal area of Odisha.

 The cyclone has now weakened into a deep depression with wind speed of 45-55 kmph, according to the IMD today.

                About 14,514 villages in 12 districts have been affected, hitting a population of 80,53,620 given details of the devastation caused by the cyclone, Odisha Revenue Minister Surjya Narayan Patro said.

The death toll in Odisha mounted to 23 after 14 more people perished while one was missing in seven districts of the state in the aftermath of Cyclone Phailin that also triggered a flood in some areas. Most of the casualties were caused by wall collapse, uprooted trees and in floods, while a large number of people were injured, official sources said. The cyclone led to floods in the two districts of Bhadrak, Baleswar and Mayurbhanj where near half of Baripada town was submerged. 

                Local people  listed of broken houses are fully and partially 192 houses in Raikia block, 20 houses of Bramanigam, 10 house of Kumbharigan, 18 houses of Dandimaha, 02 houses Sikapata village under Daringbadi Block, 12 houses in Sarangada village of K.Nuagam, 120 houses under G. Udayagiri block,01 house in Dastaguda,16 houses in Rutungia,08 houses in Kelapada,05 houses in Lada,08 houses in Budakambi,02 houses in Tudukipada,06 houses in Pabingia,03 houses in Dhandragan,07 houses in Gundhani,03 houses in Baliguda,06 houses in Bataguda,08 houses in Sugadbadi,15 houses in Padapada,08 houses in Delapada,01 house in Budakempa,05 houses in Putikapadi villages of the district have got damaged. Families had been taken for shelter them self in schools, community halls and temple, churches in Kandhamal.

                  Merely about 476 families directly affected and their houses are damaged by the cyclone hit as reported by local people from different blocks. The power supply has been cut off in the district since last two days. Strong winds uprooted the trees and electricity poles, heavy rainfalls overflowed the streams blocked roads Mr.Ajit Kumar Kullu-BDO-Raikia Block,Kandhamal said.

                  Near about 51 houses have damaged identified.05 house of Kutanigand, 12 house of Daningia, 16 house of Rangamati, 11 house of Anandpur,06 houses in Adava,01 house of Gargedi village under Mohana block of Gajapati district. Odisha government began relief and restoration work in the districts Mrs.Rashmee Rathan-Standing Committee Chairperson, Zilla Parishad of Gajapati district said.

                  Kalinga Hills of Kandhamal weakened phailin; but there are damages in villages with reports of houses being destroyed. Kandhamal hills just within 100/150 kilometers from Gopalpur.Daringbadi is a biggest block in Kandhamal situated on 3000 feet above sea level filled with forests and hills that reduced speed and weakened furious and aggressive Phailin. It is a warning and lesson for mining corporations and governments to save lives; save forests and hills. Nature saves us, teaches; Save Forest/Hills, Forest saves life the Kandhamal people believed.