Orissa CM makes aerial survey of flood-hit areas

Bhubaneswar, July 8: Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today made an aerial survey of Balasore and Mayurbhanj, the worst flood affected districts of the state.

Presiding over a review meeting at Balasore, the Chief Minister said the situation was grim. He directed the officials to increase the pace of relief and rescue work in the affected areas.

State Revenue Minister Manmohan Samal and Panchayati Raj Minister along with the MLAs of the districts were present in the meeting.

Mr Patnaik said steps had already been taken to provide relief to the affected people. Choppers from defence department have been deployed to the inaccessible pockets of Baliapal.

The flood, which gripped the districts of Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Mayurbhanja, Keonjhar and Sundergarh, had claimed one life so far.

Official sources here said at least one person died and two reported missing in Bhadrak. Two breaches were also made in Bhadrak and six in Jajpur district affecting thousands of people.

While two breaches were reported from Korei, three from Jajpur and one in Dasrathpur area of Jajpur district, one breach each was reported in Arjunpur and Korada of Bhadrak district.

Meanwhile Budhabalang, Baitarani, Mahanadi and Brahamani rivers were flowing below the danger level today and receeding further.

However, Subarnarekha was flowing above the danger mark at Jamsolaghat and Rajghat and was rising.

A report from Balasore stated that the Chief Minister had announced distribution of relief materials for seven days and the period would be extended if necessary.

He also announced that restoration of road communications, repair of breaches and distribution of compennsation would be made in the stipulated time and possible epidemic out break would also be checked.

Balasore Zilla Parishad president Girish Dash told the meeting that more than 40,000 houses were washed away and property worth Rs 800 crores were damaged during the flood.

Mr Patnaik is also likely to make an aerial survey of Bhadrak and Jajpur district later today.

At least 16,000 free kitchens were opened in Jaleswar, Basta, Bhograi and Baliapal blocks for the worst affected people.

Eight medical teams, nine veterinary teams and 400 quintals of cattle feed had been sent to affected villages, official sources said.

UNI