Bhubaneswar,October 17: With the death toll in cyclone Titli mounting to 52, Odisha government today increased the ex-gratia amount from Rs 4 lakh to Rs 10 lakh each for the kin of the deceased.

The announcement came today during Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s visit to Champapur village in Gangabad Panchayat of Gajapati district.

“For the first time we have had such a serious landslide. As compensation to the next of kin, Rs 10 lakh will be given instead of Rs 4 lakh. The affected residents will be given pucca houses in plain areas under Biju Pucca Ghar Yojana and land rights. Drinking water and electricity will also be provided to them,” CM Naveen said.

CM Naveen also informed that after an assessment of the damages to agriculture and infrastructure, a final report with demands will be sent to the central government.

Earlier in the day, Chief Secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi informed that a total of 52 persons lost their lives in the State in incidents post Cyclone Titli and floods with Gajapati district recording the highest number of deaths (39).

Padhi also informed that here has been a loss of Rs 2,200 crore to the State due to cyclone Titli.

“The State government is trying to compensate the losses from State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF); in case of shortage of funds, we will report to the Centre,” the Chief Secretary