The flood situation in Ganajam, Mayurbhanj and Balasore districts of Odisha continues to be grim even as water has receded in other flood-hit areas of the state. The state government has decided to close all schools in Ganjam and 12 other flood affected districts till end of this month. A central team will visit Odisha tomorrow to assess the damage caused by cyclone Phailin and subsequent floods.

The 12-member inter-ministerial team will make an on-the-spot assessment of the damage. The team will be divided into two groups and visit the most affected districts like Ganjam, Puri, Balasore and Mayurbhanj.

An estimated 16.50 lakh population in 4,611 villages have been affected by the recent floods. As many 2.9 lakh people have been evacuated and provided with cooked food and dry ration.