Flood death toll mounts to 38

The flood situation in the state remained grim with the death toll mounting to 38 and 1,362 villages remaining marooned. The recent spell of flood has damaged 46,939 houses besides impacting crop area of 0.22 million hectares.

The flood has affected 2.34 million people belonging to 3,569 villages under 711 blocks in 68 blocks in 12 urban local bodies. The state officials maintained that water levels in the recent spell of flood have receded and relief materials were reaching the affected people in time.

“The water levels have receded especially in the Bari region in Jajpur district which is one of the worst affected regions. Aerial dropping of relief material will continue tomorrow. We have opened 622 free kitchen centres benefiting 0.21 million people. The death toil has sharply rose to 38 while three persons are still missing.

“We have asked the concerned departments to submit reports on damage caused by the second spell of flood. On Friday, I will make a presentation before the visiting Central team which will be a tentative assessment of the damage caused by the flood,” said Special Relief Commissioner Pradipta K Mohapatra.

Meanwhile, the state Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday made an aerial survey of Bari in Jajpur district as well as Rajkanika and Ali in Kendrapara district.