Flood situation turns grim in orissa

Bhubaneswar,June 18 (UNI)The Orissa government is contemplating to requisition Air force in relief operation in Balasore as the flood situation turned grim today.

Revenue Minister Manmohan samal told newspersons here today that major parts of the north Balasore were disconnected from the rest of the world due to floods in Subarnarekha, Baitarani and their tributaries.

He said road and rail communication were affected after the railway tracks were submerged by flood waters at several places between Balasore and Khargapur.

The road communication snapped as a bridge collapsed at Rupsa on NH 60.

The minister said the Special Relief Commissioner(SRC) was camping at Balasore and monitoring the situation. Orissa Disaster Rapid Action Force team were being rushed to Balasore from Koraput,Sundergarha, Jharsuguda and Chhatrapur to assist in relief and rescue operation.

He said Bhadrak, Jajpur and Mayurbhanja districts were also affected due to flash flood triggered by heavy rain in the upper catchments areas.

The administration was concerned as the Met office predicted more rain in north and south Orissa during the next 48 hours.

The Minister ruled out any improvement in the flood situation in the affected district in the next three days and said the government was taking all measures to meet any eventuality.

Mr Samal said around one lakh people in five blocks--Jaleswar, Basta, Balasore Sadar, Bhograi and Baliapal were severely affected.

The government had already distributed dry food to the affected people and asked the officials to start free kitchen for the distress people.

The Minister said if necessary airdropping of relief materials would be conducted in the inaccessible areas.

Meanwhile, a 13 year girl Kadambani Hembram died last night in wall collapse at Nuapada village in Balasore district.

The flood situation also turned grave in Rasgovindpur,Badasahi Morada and Saraskana,Betanati and Rairangpur blocks of Mayurbhanja districts.

The flood waters of Jambira river caused two breaches at Ektali and Kadamtalia.More than 150 families from Safaskana block and around 500 people from Rasgovindpur and Badasahi were evacuated to safer places after flood water entered into their areas.

In Bhadrak the Baitarani which was flowing above the danger had caused a 30 metre breach on the river bandh at Daspari village.

More than 500 people were evacuated from Daspari and Sarjunpur village after flood water submerged the village.

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