Odisha continues to experience one of the worst floods in recent memory with millions of people starving for relief and hundreds of villages still marooned. The flood in major rivers like Baitarani, Brahmani, Budhabalanga and Subarnarekha over more than 1,100 villages in 10 districts of the 30 districts in the state. The worst hit has been Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada and Keonjhar districts. Though water level of Subarnarekha, Budhabalanga, Baitarani have come down, Brahmani continues to rise.A large number of people have taken shelter over river embankments, house roofs and trees as flood water has entered or damaged their houses with road communication being cut off in flood water. Prices of essential commodities in the flood-affected areas have sky-rocketed due to short supply.According to reports received from the Odisha government, the death toll in the second phase of flood has increased to 19 and the flood has affected more than 22 lakh people. 1,114 villages are still marooned in flood water, while 3,128 villages and 11 cities have been badly affected in this flood. Helicopters which have been engaged in relief operation are not able to cover the vast flood-affected areas in the state. A 4-member Central team is visiting Odisha on Monday to assess loss due to the current flood.The flood in Mahanadi river system in the second week of this month, had affected 3.4 million people in 19 districts, causing 39 human casualties and a loss of Rs 2,122 crore to the State.