The incessant rains for the last four days, have triggered panic situation in Odisha, as many rivers are in spate. The flood situation has worsened further, marooning at least 1.5 lakh people in 129 villages. The schools and colleges in 13 districts in the state have been shut till Monday. They include Ganjam, Gajapati, Kandhamal, Cuttack, Puri, Khordha, Nayagarh, Bhadrak, Balasore, Mayurbhanj, Kendrapara, Jajpur and Jagatsinghpur.
Apart from Rushikulya, Jalaka and Bansadhara, many other rivers such as Bahuda, Ghodahada and Badanadi are also flowing over the danger level. Situation in South and North Odisha are very precarious. There is a flood scare in Mayurbhanj district again. The relief and rehabilitation operations in Ganjam, Puri, Khordha, Balasore and Mayurbhanj have been badly affected.
At least 17 people have lost their lives in the floods. The actual death toll could be much higher. Train services on Khordha-Vizag route have been badly hit. At least 30 trains were diverted, while three trains were cancelled too.
In Ganjam and Gajapati, the flash floods affected areas in Chikiti, Hinjili, Sana Khemundi, Sheragada, anakhemundi, Digapahandi, Purushottampur, Chhatrapur, Patrapur, Dharakote, Aska, Parlakhemundi, Kashinagar and Mohana. The twin city Bhubaneswar and Cuttack are also badly hit by heavy rains and waterlogging.
Situation is very alarming in Cuttack, which has been waterlogged completely. Situation in Puri is no different either. In Bhubaneswar, artificial floods have occurred in Bomikhal, Acharya Vihar, Jayadev Vihar, Ekamra Villa, Station Bazar, Hanspal, Palasuni etc. The rains may continue for another 24 hours or so.