Outrageous: Villagers Desperate After Cyclone Forced to Pay Rs 20 per Hour to Charge Phones
Severe Cyclonic Storm Dana has wreaked havoc in Odisha’s Bhadrak district, particularly affecting Basudevpur block, where villagers are flocking to vehicles equipped with power generators to recharge their mobile phones due to disrupted electricity supply. With power lines down, residents are compelled to pay up to Rs 20 per hour for charging phones and Rs 300 to pump groundwater to overhead tanks, as reported by Santilata Panda, the sarpanch of Bishnupur panchayat. Local businesses, including tent houses, are capitalizing on the demand by offering generator-powered services.
A resident from Nuagaon village expressed frustration over the steep costs, urging authorities to expedite power restoration. In response, Tata Power, Odisha’s primary electricity supplier, announced that power has been restored in about 92% of the affected regions. The company has mobilized additional teams of engineers, linemen, and support staff working tirelessly with government bodies and local authorities to restore full service. They are focused on repairing the cyclone-damaged infrastructure, deploying mobile substations, and fixing crucial electrical components amidst challenging conditions like blocked roads and flooded areas.
Cyclone Dana, which made landfall between Bhitarkanika in Kendrapara and Dhamra in Bhadrak district early Friday, unleashed torrential rains and high-speed winds across the eastern coast. The storm’s fury uprooted trees, toppled electric poles, and caused extensive damage to infrastructure and agriculture in the region. Although Tata Power has made significant strides in restoring electricity, the devastation underscores the cyclone’s significant impact on the region’s daily life and infrastructure.
Local authorities and power companies continue to collaborate to ensure the swift restoration of normalcy, emphasizing a collective effort to overcome the challenges posed by one of the most severe cyclones to hit the area in recent times. The situation remains dynamic as recovery operations progress.
Original Story https://theshillongtimes.com/2024/10/28/people-pay-rs-20-per-hour-to-charge-mobile-phones-in-cyclone-hit-villages/
Category : NATIONAL
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Publish Date: 2024-10-28 03:23:00
