22 dead, 14 lakh affected in worst Orissa floods

Puri, Sept 12: Orissa has been hit by the worst instance of floods causing massive devastation including the loss of precious lives. It has been reported that 2600 villages have been submerged in water and more than 14 lakh people affected. The flood fury at the Mahanadi is at its worst.

The death toll till now is 22 and the rescue operations are seriously hampered due to the flood fury. The districts that have been the worst hit is Cuttack, Puri, Kendrapara, Jajpur and Sambalpur. The government has upped its search and rescue operations by mobilizing the Orissa Disaster Rapid Action Force. Two Indian Air Force helicopters have also been put into operation for rescue and relief operation.

Close to 61,000 people have been evacuated from low-lying areas. Sources claimed that as much as 13.66 lakh cusec water flowed from the flooded Mahanadi through Mundali near Cuttack. Chief Minister of Orissa, Naveen Patnaik said, "We are taking all measures to mitigate the sufferings of the people affected by flood. After damage assessment we will also seek help from the Centre for the damage caused by flood."

Though the situation is expected to improve, the same cannot be achieved in the next two or three days since the chances of the water receding to the sea will not happen on account of the tidal conditions due to the full moon tomorrow (Sept 13).

OneIndia News