Odisha floods: Death toll rises to seven, 1,600 people evacuated to safe shelters

Bhubaneswar: The flood toll in Odisha rose to seven with the death of three more persons in Jajpur district, even as the water level in river Brahmani receded at some places on Sunday. According to reports from Jajpur district, three persons — Kusa Pradhan of village Khairadiha, Sonu Dalai of Badasulidiha and Ranjit Mallick of Makeipur — lost their lives in the flash flood in the district, an official statement said. One person of Nilakanthapur gram panchayat of Kendrapara district is reported to be missing in river Brahmani. An Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) team is engaged in the search operation, they said. Four persons, two each in Kalahandi and Malkangiri districts, had died in the flood earlier. [caption id=“attachment_3844965” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Representational image. PTI[/caption] Water level in river Brahmani has receded by more than a foot in Kendrapara and Jajpur districts. Barring these two, situation in all other districts is normal. At least 15 gram panchayats of Bari block were affected due to a breach on Brahmani left embankment at Kimbhiriapal gram panchayat on Saturday. About 1,600 people have been evacuated to safe shelters at eight places, while many others in the inundated areas have taken shelter in the houses of their neighbourers, a senior official said. Free kitchens have been opened for the flood affected and dry food like ‘chuda’ (flattened rice) and ‘gur’ (jaggery) are being distributed wherever necessary. Around 50 metric tonnes of cattle feed has been sent to Bari block. Another 50 metric tonnes of cattle feed has been sent to Balasore district, the official said. In Kendrapara district, seven gram panchayats of Pattamundai block namely Penthapal, Alapua, Taradipal, Singhagaon, Rahulia, Andhara and Nayadia have been marooned due to flood water. Water level of river Kharasrota is in receding trend near Aul in Kendrapara district, he said. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had on Saturday directed the officials to ensure that flood-hit people in Rayagada and Bhadrak districts get house damage assistance within three days. Health and sanitation teams have been deployed in all flood affected areas. Principal secretary of Water Resources Department, PK Jena along with engineer-in-chief, Water Resources, and Chief Engineer and Basin Manager, Lower Mahanadi Basin visited the breach site on Saturday. As soon as the water level comes down, temporary restoration of the breached embankment will be taken up. The flood situation in Sundargarh district has also improved considerably with the water level of Brahmani, Ib and Koel rivers receding, the official added.