Floods in Odisha affect over 1 million people

Floods in Odisha affect over 1 million people- Odisha, million people  affected by a devastating flood in the Mahanadi river systems. More  areas are likely to be gripped in the downstream coastal pockets of the state in the next couple of days. As many as 2,550 villages have so far been either marooned or affected in 19 of the 30 districts of Odisha. More than 60,000 persons have been evacuated from low lying areas to safer places. Though officially there has been 8 casualties in the current flood it is expected to be more. Helicopter services from Indian Navy and other sources are likely to be pressed into the relief and rescue operation from today.

AIR correspondent reports, the flood situation in Odisha continues to be grim. Thousands of people in Cuttack, Puri, Bargarh, Nuapara, Deogarh, Kendrapara and Jajpur distrticts are bearing the burnt of the flood in Mahanadi and its tributaries. Many people living in the low lying areas are fleeing to nearby roads and embankments. A number of breaches have occurred at many places, while 10,565 dwelling houses have been damaged. The coming two days are critical since water evacuation into the Bay of Bengal may slow down because of tidal conditions owing to full moon since Monday. Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force has been pressed into the relief and rescue operation and a 26-seater Mi-17 helicopter sanctioned for anti-naxal operation by the Centre is likely to be used for air-dropping operation. Free kitchens are being provided at many affected places, while it is yet to reach many marooned areas. Meanwhile, 53 gates in Hirakud dam are opened to discharge the heavy inflow of water into the reservoir.

In Odisha, more than a million people have been affected by a devastating flood in the Mahanadi river systems. More and more areas are likely to be gripped in the downstream coastal pockets of the state in the next couple of days. As many as 2,550 villages have so far been either marooned or affected in 19 of the 30 districts of Odisha. More than 60,000 persons have been evacuated from low lying areas to safer places. Though officially there has been 8 casualties in the current flood it is expected to be more. Helicopter services from Indian Navy and other sources are likely to be pressed into the relief and rescue operation from today.

The flood situation in Odisha continues to be grim. Thousands of people in Cuttack, Puri, Bargarh, Nuapara, Deogarh, Kendrapara and Jajpur distrticts are bearing the burnt of the flood in Mahanadi and its tributaries. Many people living in the low lying areas are fleeing to nearby roads and embankments. A number of breaches have occurred at many places, while 10,565 dwelling houses have been damaged. The coming two days are critical since water evacuation into the Bay of Bengal may slow down because of tidal conditions owing to full moon since Monday. Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force has been pressed into the relief and rescue operation and a 26-seater Mi-17 helicopter sanctioned for anti-naxal operation by the Centre is likely to be used for air-dropping operation. Free kitchens are being provided at many affected places, while it is yet to reach many marooned areas. Meanwhile, 53 gates in Hirakud dam are opened to discharge the heavy inflow of water into the reservoir.