In Odisha, the situation in most parts of flood-hit areas remained grim even as major rivers started receding today. According to latest reports, major rivers like Rusikulya, Godahada and Vansadhara were flowing below the danger mark.

Though officially there has been 16 deaths so far due to wall collapse and drowning, the figure is more than 25 as reported by various sources. Chief Minister of Odisha, Naveen Patnaik, reviewed the flood-situation at Bhubaneswar today and said the incessant rain and floods have caused severe damage to public and private property and standing crop.

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has announced three-day relief for the affected people as per provisions under the relief code. It would be distributed in Ganjam, Gajapati, Kandhamal, Puri, Khordha, Nayagarh, Jajpur, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Balasore, Bhadrak and Mayurbhanj districts.

Special Relief Commissioner of Odisha, PK Mohapatra, has said two of the three helicopters used for rescue operations in Ganjam district would return to base shortly with the remaining one to be retained for relief operations as relief teams could now approach inundated areas in boats.

As per the state government statistics, more than 5.32 lakh people in 2,276 villages were affected by the floods, while about 1.47 lakh people were evacuated. Of the 129 villages inundated in Ganjam district by flash flood, water receded in its 69 villages.

The Bhubaneswar Meteorological office has predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall over the next 48 hours at one or two places over Koraput, Malkangiri, Nawarangpur, Rayagada, Gajapati and Kalahandi districts and heavy rainfall at one or two places over north Odisha.