Flood Situation Grim In Odisha, Claiming Four Lives & Affecting Nearly Four Lakh People

 

A relentless deluge and swelling rivers have plunged vast stretches of Odisha into a grave humanitarian crisis, claiming four lives and leaving thousands marooned. As floodwaters continue their inexorable advance, the Baitarani basin remains under severe distress, while a fresh flood threat looms over the Mahanadi. Our correspondent reports that the administration has intensified rescue and relief operations amid an evolving and highly volatile flood situation.

Official sources say nearly three lakh eighty thousand people across 304 Gram Panchayats have been affected. Even as rescue and relief operations continue on a war footing, a fresh challenge looms with a medium flood expected in the Mahanadi from tomorrow following persistent rainfall in its upper catchment. The river is already flowing above the danger level at Boudh.

Meanwhile, the IMD has issued an Orange Warning for heavy to very heavy rainfall in Nuapada, Kalahandi, Nabarangpur and Koraput districts, raising fears of a further deterioration in the flood situation.