In Odisha, people of 647 villages continue to be marooned by floods triggered by cyclone Phailin and resultant rain. Flood situation is improving in five northern districts of the state with the water levels in the major rivers receding.Death toll in the cyclone and flood related incidents has gone up to 36.
The state government has sought immediate release of 1,523 crore rupees from the Centre to expedite relief and restoration work. Our correspondent reports that with the water level in major rivers receding, the Odisha government has decided to demobilise defence forces comprising Army, Navy and Air Force personnel. The local unit of the National Disaster Response Force wil, however remain in the flood-affected areas of Balasore district. The flood situation has improved in all the five northern districts of the state except in Basta, Bhogarai, Jaleswar and Baliapal blocks of Balasore. Flood water has receded in Mayurbhanj, Bhadrak, Jajpur and Keonjhar districts and the government has stopped air dropping of food packets as all areas are now approachable by motor
boats. In Jajpur district, though flood waters remained stagnant in 66 villages under 24 gram panchayats, they are approachable by boats and roads. About 70 villages of Bhadrak district are still flooded. The government has expedited restoration work in worst-hit Ganjam and other cyclone-hit districts and a timeline has been fixed for completion of works. Over 300 experts are being hired by the Union Power Ministry to assist in the restoration of electric supply in cyclone-hit areas of Odisha which have been without power since the last six days.