Kendrapara (Orissa), Apr 2: Relief and rescue operation is in full swing in the tornado-hit coastal district of Kendrapada in Orissa.

Polythene sheets are being distributed to the homeless while free kitchens have been opened in different places.

The district administration has restored road communication.

Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has directed the administration to provide all possible aid to the affected people.

Meanwhile, residents in Kendrapara recalled the horror of the storm, which swirled through their villages triggering large-scale devastation during the twilight hours between Tuesday and Wednesday.

At least 14 people were dead and 197 others were injured in this natural tragedy.

Santosh Behera, one of the victims was critical of the local administration''s inefficiency in rushing to the affected spots to rescue the people.

However, he was grateful to his friends who saved his life.

"When the storm occurred, a cement pillar fell on my head. I was seriously injured and my friends brought me to the hospital. Around 50 persons of my village are in the hospital, but no help is yet available to us," said Santosh.

Recalling the horror, Rambha an injured lady said, "When the wind started blowing, I didn''t go out of my house. I had to hold a pillar in my house to save my life as the gusty wind blew very hard. The roof of my house blew up and everything got damaged. I am very scared. We are really helpless. I haven''t seen such a devastating calamity and we are deprived of help as well."

According to the local sources, the administration has granted one-lakh rupees each to families of the dead, and
50,000 for those who were handicapped in the tornado.

7,500 rupees have been granted to seriously injured, while 2,500 rupees to injured persons. (ANI)