September 15, 2011 8:44 PM

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Flood situation likely to worsen in Odisha

In Odisha, flood situation is likely to worsen further following low pressure induced rains in the upper catchments of Mahanadi river systems and its tributaries. Many parts of Odisha is also experiencing rain today due to the low pressure over Gangetic West Bengal and adjoining north west bay of Odisha. The relief and rescue operation has been hit mainly on coastal region of the state as a result of which thousands are still talking shelter on roads, bunds and community centres. Many marooned people in Kendrapada and Puri district have not received relief materials since seven days. The prediction of more rains in the next 24 hours in many parts of the state has triggered fear among the poeople. Many of them who retruned to their villages after receding of flood water have rushed back to safer places. According to official reports, the death toll in Odisha flood has increased to 26, while twelve more persons are reported to have swept away or drowned in flood water but their bodies are yet to be traced. Meanwhile, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has diected all affected district collectors to submit detail report on the loss of lives and damage by 25th of this month. An inter-ministrial team from the Centre will be visiting Odisha to assess the damage in the next one week. As many as 4,096 villages and 16 cities have been badly affected in the current flood in 19 of the 30 districts in the state. Damage reports of 31,000 houses have so far been received from about 13 districts of Odisha.In a quick response to the Govt of Odisha's call for aid towards flood relief on Sunday, the Eastern Naval Command of the Navy launched flood relief operations. According to an official release, INS Airavat, amphibious vessel along with integral search and rescue (SAR) Chetak helicopeter and divers was deployed off Paradip port. Another two helicopters were also positioned at Bhubaneswar airport and carried out air drop sorties in Fanki, Puri, Jagatsingh Pur, Kendra Para, Cuttack, Nayagarh and Paika areas. A total of about 31,000 Kgs of relief material was dropped till date.

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