In Odisha, more than 16 lakh people of about 3,000 villages have been affected in the current wave of floods. According to official sources, water is fast receding in the upper catchments of Mahanadi river and its tributaries and only 23 sluice gates are now open in the Hirakud dam. The situation is likely to improve further as seven more gates are likely to be closed today. So far 16 people have lost their lives in the devastating floods, six people were swept away in flood waters. As many as 19 of the 30 districts have been hit by flood in Mahanadi river systems, Brahmani and Baitarani.More than one lakh persons have been evacuated from low lying areas to safer places. Efforts are being made by the administration to supply relief materials to the marooned people even as many areas have been cut off from rest of the world due to the flood. AIR correspondent reports, the grim flood situation is likely to remain till tomorrow as water evacuation into the Bay of Bengal has slowed down because of tidal conditions owing to full moon. Meanwhile, more helicopter sorties are being made to expedite the relief operations. AIR correspondent reports Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik made an aerial survey of flood-affected areas in Sambalpur, Sonepur and Bolangir districts.