After being battered by Cyclone Phailin on October 12-13, Odisha is battling the worsening flood situation in four districts – Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur and Mayurbhanj. Even parts of Keonjhar district has also been affected. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik will make an aerial survey of the flood-affected areas today.
The Indian Air Force choppers have already started dropping relief packets in the flood-hit region. Over 2.5 lakh people were marooned in Balasore. At least 1.13 lakh people have been evacuated to safer places. Bhograi, Basta, Remuna, Simulia, Jaleswar and Baliapal are worst hit.
The Mayurbhanj district is also badly affected by flood. While 68,000 people are still living under water in Balasore, 7,000 have been cut off from the rest of Odisha in Mayurbhanj district. Flood waters have already entered Baripada town, submerging half of the town.
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Several rivers, including Subarnarekha, Budhabalanga, Brahmani and Kharasrota are in spate. The flood waters have damaged the agricultural land and crops all over North and Coastal Odisha. Efforts are on to speed up the rescue and relief operations. Several deaths were reported from Angul, Keonjhar, Balasore, Mayurbhanj and Bhadrak.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has deployed three Ministers to oversee the relief and rehabilitation in flood and cyclone affected areas. Dr. Damodar Rout has been deputed for Baripada, while Debi Prasad Mishra will oversee the operations in Balasore. Kalpataru Das will camp in Berhampur (Ganjam).
Helpline Numbers:
Keonjhar – 07666-255437
Balasore – 06782-262286, 262647
Mayurbhanj – 06792-252759
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