Large parts of northern Odisha continue to reel under flood. Incessant rain for the last two days has raised water level in the Brahmani, Baitarani, Budhabalanga and Subarnarekha rivers submerging large tracts of Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Jajpur, Bhadrak and Kendrapara districts. The situation in Jajpur, Kendrapara and Bhadrak districts, which were hit by the first-phase flood in the Mahanadi river system only a few days ago, is grim. Flood situation in Jajpur district of the state is very alarming with Baitarani, Kharasrota and Brahmani rivers breaching their banks at 14 places. Though the depression formed over Bay of Bengal moved away to neighbouring Jharkhand, heavy rains in the upper catchments of a number of rivers have created havoc with hundereds of villages still submerged in flood water. Thousands of people are waiting for the relief with empty stomach. Most of the marooned people have taken shelter over the roof tops or trees. The state government has admitted the flood situation to be a matter of concern and hoped the situation to improve with the depression moving away from Odisha. Air dropping of dry foods is likely to be started from on Saturday by one helicopter meant for anti-Maoist operation. The state government has also decided to request the Centre to make more helicopters available for the relief operation.