Odisha Cop Returns To Duty After Performing Last Rites Of Mother, Helps Evacuate People Ahead Of Cyclone Yaas

Giving precedence to public service over his personal loss, a cop from Odisha's Kendrapara returned to duty on the same day he performed the last rites of his 85-year-old mother.

Having witnessed the extensive damage caused in the district due to Fani and Amphan, he wanted to help evacuate the people living in the cyclone-prone areas.

Representational Image/PTI

Marshaghai¡¯s inspector-in-charge Kalandi Behera has been posted at the same police station when the two tropical storms struck Odisha in 2019 and 2020 and thus understood the need of manpower and resources to help with the evacuation process during very severe cyclonic storm 'Yaas'.

¡°There was an anticipation that cyclone Yaas could trigger floods in low-lying villages of five panchayats under Marshaghai's police limits for which the people needed to be shifted to the shelter homes," Behera told The New Indian Express.

Also read: Cyclone Yaas: After Leaving A Huge Trail Of Destruction, Storm Weakens: What We Know So Far

Representational Image/Odisha Police

Behera¡¯s mother, who was staying with him in Marshaghai, had suffered a heart attack and unfortunately passed away on may 21. He performed the last rites of his mother at their native village in Jajpur's Binjharpur and rushed back to Marshaghai in the same evening to join with the evacuation process.

As per the report, Behera and his colleagues sifted at least 2,100 people from low-lying areas to safety. He told the paper of the extensive damage to trees and electric poles and other property in the area due to the strong winds.

Also read: This Man's Hilarious Reason To Step Out During Cyclone Yaas Will Make You Crack-Up

Representational Image/PTI

"I assisted in the restoration work and left for my village on Thursday to perform the remaining funeral customs of my mother," Behera told TNIE.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday, announced financial assistance of Rs 1,000 crore for immediate relief activities to people affected by cyclone Yaas. Rs 500 crore would be immediately given to Odisha. Another Rs 500 crore announced for West Bengal and Jharkhand, which will be released on the basis of the damage.

Also read: In Pics: Seawater Enters Villages, Sweeps Away Huts After Cyclone Yaas Makes Landfall In Odisha