In Odisha, heavy rain hampered relief and rescue work in flood-affected areas of the state. The operation has been badly hit mainly on coastal region of the state as a result of which thousands are still talking shelter on roads, bunds and community centres. The prediction of more rain in the next 24 hours due to the low pressure formed over north-west Bay of Bengal has triggered fear among the people that rains may bring more flood. Many of them who returned to their villages have rushed back to safer places. According to reports received from Odisha Government, 22 persons have so far lost their lives in the devastating flood. Twelve more persons are reported to have swept away or drowned in flood water but their bodies are yet to be traced. The death toll is likely to be much more in the flood. Meanwhile, flood water has started receding in almost all the major rivers of Odisha. The Odisha Government has requested the Centre to send an inter-ministerial team to the flood-affected areas to assess the damage. As many as 4,006 villages and 15 cities have been badly affected in the current flood in 19 of the 30 districts in the state. Damage reports of 30,000 houses have so far been received from about 11.