Kendrapada (Orissa), Oct 29 Ten years after the super cyclone hit Orissa, villagers of one of the worst affected areas lamented lack of basic amenities in Tentulikhanda village of Kendrapada district.

Tentulikhanda is a small village of Mahakalpada block where 22 people lost their lives due to the killer cyclone.

The people here lamented lack of basic amenities like proper roads, safe drinking water and shelter despite several relief programmes launched after the cyclone.

"Ten years have past since the biggest natural disaster hit the state. This village was among the worst affected areas, but people here are still deprived of the basic amenities like safe drinking water. The condition of the roads is also not good," said Sudhanshu Senapati, a resident.

The Government had promised to give compensation to the victims and Indira Abash for those who lost their homes. Complaints are there that they had only got the compensation, but Indira Abash is still a mirage for the villagers.

Meanwhile, the collector of Kendrapada district, Sisir Kanta Panda claimed to have given compensation and a house to the victims. On being asked about the problems of safe drinking water and proper roads, he said that the government is taking steps to improve the condition.

"Drinking water near the sea has always been a problem because of salinity. The tube wells don't provide proper water. Hence, the government is taking steps to filter it and provide the villagers sweet water," said Panda.

Orissa was hit by a super cyclone on October 29, 1999, with wind gusts of up to 300 kph and towering tidal waves from the Bay of Bengal.

The cyclone had claimed over 9,000 lives and destroyed property worth millions of dollars. (ANI)