Flood claims nine lives in Balasore

Balasore, Jun 28 (UNI) The recent flood triggered by heavy rains in upper catchment area has so far claimed nine lives in Balasore district.

Officials sources here said the flood caused 161 breaches and disrupted the road and rail communications in various places as the water level in Subarnarekha, Jalaka and Budhabalanga rivers flowed above the danger level and inundated vast track of land.

The flood caused extensive damage and affected more than one million people in five block of Bhograi, Sadar, Baliapal, Basta and Jaleswar.

As many as 49,000 houses were collapsed, 42,700 hecatres of paddy land, 5,804 hectares of vegetable, 13,050 hectares of nursury were damaged in the flood.

The authorities took up a massive relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction work.

As many as 44 medical relief centres were opened and 18 medical teams were deployed in the area to prevent any outbreak of disease.

Disinfection of water sources was going on.

The authorities also airdropped food packets, distributed relief and polythene during the high flood in inaccessible areas to provide succour to the flood victim.

Meanwhile many areas were submerged today after the water level in Jalaka river went up and started flowing above the danger level.

The water level in Subarnarekha and Budhabalanga was also rising, sources said.

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