Bhubaneswar, Oct. 30 -- Cyclonic storm Montha affected 33 blocks, 11 urban areas, and 358 villages across Odisha, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said on Thursday.
Pujari informed that normalcy is expected to be restored by October 31, while damage assessment and relief distribution will commence from October 30 onwards.
Recalling the devastation caused by the 1999 Super Cyclone on the same date, Pujari said this time Odisha was better prepared, thanks to early warnings from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and extensive pre-cyclone measures taken by the government.
He credited the administration and media for their proactive role in ensuring public awareness, adding that the cyclone's late change in cours...