Relief work gains momentum in flood-hit Balasore

Balasore (Orissa), June 21 : Authorities in flood-hit Balasore district of Orissa have stepped up relief operations in the affected areas.

The situation is grim even days after the flash floods hit the region, hundreds of thousands of people are left marooned and many are homeless.

The State Government is using Air Force helicopters to drop food packets in the affected areas, besides deploying the army for rescue work.

Officials said that around 205 boats have been engaged for relief operations apart from one helicopter that is being used for air dropping food packages.

"The situation is pretty grim. Jalaka River is also above the danger level. Vast areas have been under water. We have pressed into service all the boats available with the disaster rapid action force. Throughout the district, administration is alert," said Niranjan K. Ssamantary, special relief commissioner, Orissa.

According to news reports, over one million people have been marooned during the current spell of floods.

The area received a record rainfall of 700 mm for three days that has affected hundreds of thousands of people.

Though it stopped raining in the region on Friday, the floodwaters have turned villages into islands.

Experts said that a depression in the Bay of Bengal has caused the floods.

ANI