By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR:Dr. Pradeep Kumar Panigrahi, MP from Berhampur, has expressed deep concern over the dire situation created by the devastating tides and continuous coastal erosion in Podampeta village under Ganjam block. Many poor families have lost their homes and everything they own in this natural disaster. In this context, MP Dr. Panigrahi today wrote an urgent letter to the Ganjam District Collector demanding immediate steps for the safety and permanent rehabilitation of the affected people.
The horrifying video is attached:In his letter, the MP mentioned a very touching and disturbing video clip from the scene “VID-20260703-WA0012.mp4”, in which the houses of the people of Podampeta village are clearly visible being swept away by the huge tide of the sea. The lives and livelihoods of the people are now in complete danger.
The MPs’ main demands to the district administration are:
Immediate evacuation and shelter: Locals should be immediately evacuated from dangerous houses along the coast to safer places or storm shelters.Emergency Assistance and Compensation: The Revenue Department should immediately assess the damage and provide financial assistance and dry and cooked food to the affected families.
Permanent Resettlement: These vulnerable families from Podampeta village should be permanently resettled with land and houses in a safe place away from the seashore.
Coastal protection walls: Immediate preventive measures should be taken to prevent sea erosion by installing rock packing or geo-synthetic bags with the help of the Water Resources Department.
The Hon’ble Member of Parliament said that as the rainy season continues, this problem may worsen. Therefore, the district administration should work on a war footing without any delay. A copy of this letter has also been sent to RDC (South), Chhatrapur Sub-Divisional Officer, Ganjam BDO and Tehsildar for their information and necessary action.
