The death toll due to cyclone Fani rose to 64 with 21 fresh deaths confirmed on Sunday, nine days after the ‘extremely severe’ cyclonic storm devastated coastal Odisha.
At 39, the maximum deaths were reported from Puri, followed by Khurda (9), Cuttack (6), Mayurbhanj (4), Kendrapara (3) and Jajpur (3), an official at the State Emergency Operation Centre said.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik directed the officials to start assessment of houses damaged in the cyclone.
Mr. Patnaik also demanded special category status from the Centre for his disaster-prone State.
He said a special category status was the need of the hour due to the massive loss to infrastructure which may stall growth and rebuilding of the State.