Fresh rain worsens Odisha flood situation: Over 2.8 million people hit

Bhubaneswar, Aug 10: Fresh rain triggered by a low pressure compounded the miseries of

victims in

. Over 2.8 million people have been affected by the flood situation in the eastern state.

"Though water receded in several rivers, the plight of people sheltered on high river embankments and other places have worsened due to fresh rainfall," Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) P K Mohapatra said.

Different parts of the state, mainly falling in northern region, were lashed by rains since last night, while water level in rivers like Mahanadi and Baitarani went down, he said.

The fresh rainfall caused by low pressure is unlikely to aggravate the flood scenario as it would be confined mainly to northern districts like Mayurbhanj, the SRC said.

Thirty-eight people were reportedly killed in Odisha floods

Rain and thundershower would occur at most places over north Odisha and a few places over southern parts during next 24 hours under the influence of low pressure, Director of local Meteorological centre, Sarat Sahu said.

Heavy to very heavy rainfall would occur at one or two places over north Odisha in next 24 hours, the MeT office said adding gusty surface wind speed from 35 kmph to 55 kmph may prevail along and off the Odisha Coast. Fishermen are advised to be cautious while venturing into the sea.

Around 28.58 lakh people in 4,951 villages of 134 blocks in 1300 gram panchayats spread over 23 districts have so far been affected in the floods, it said.

The death toll in floods and heavy rains in different parts of the state remained 37, SRC office sources said, adding most of the casualties were due to drowning and wall collapse.

PTI