In Odisha, the flood situation continues to remain grim mainly in Ganjam, Mayurbhanj and Balasore districts. The low pressure induced rains has led to fresh floods in Budhabalang river in Mayurbhanj district with water gushing into district headquarters town of Baripada and 50 villages.

The rains have affected relief and rescue operations in several areas, particularly Ganjam, Gajapati and Nayagarh districts.However, there is some respite for the people of Ganjam with major rivers including the Rusikulya, Godahada and Vansadhara now flowing below the danger mark.

AIR Correspondent reports that Revenue and Disaster Management Minister of Odisha, SN Patro, has hoped that the situation would improve soon as the intensity of the week-long rains had started declining in most areas of the state. He said the emergency food assistance was being provided for three days to the rain-affected people.

Train services have also been badly affected due to submergence of tracks leading to cancellation of a number of trains and diversification of long-routed trains. Meanwhile, the Bhubaneswar Met office has predicted heavy rainfall in the districts of Gajapati, Ganjam, Koraput, Rayagada, Nayagarh, Puri, Khordha, Jagatsinghpur and Cuttack of Odisha during next 24 hours. Prakash Dash, AIR News, Bhubaneswar.