§ 6. Mr. DUNNICOasked the Under-Secretary of State for India wehther he can give any particulars of the loss of human life, cattle and crops in the recent Orissa floods; and what is the present position in the distressed areas?
§ Earl WINTERTONThe number of human lives lost was about 50. The loss of cattle is estimated at about 5 per cent, of the total stock throughout the affected area of about 650 square miles. On 30th August it was stated in the Bihar and Orissa Legislative Council that the position regarding crops was still uncertain, and no later official information has been received on this point, but it is known that on 17th September Rs.37,000 had been sanctioned as gratuitous relief to the population affected, that advances amounting to Rs.2,40,000 had been made, and that further grants had been promised for the rebuilding of houses and the purchase of cattle when the full facts were known.