Three die in Odisha as heavy downpour continues

Three people were killed in Odisha as heavy downpour, triggered by cyclonic storm 'Hudhud', continued to lash the state Sunday, officials said. The heavy rainfall also inundated many areas in the state.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast heavy to very heavy rain in eight districts in the state's southern region and said rain would likely continue till mid-week.

It said Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Nawarangpur, Ganjam, Gajpati, Kalahandi, Nayagarh, Khurda, Puri, Nawapara, Boudh, Bolangir, Sonepur and Phulbani were likely to receive 250 mm rainfall in the next 24 hours till Monday.

'Hudhud' Sunday hit the Andhra Pradesh coast at Pudimadaka village near Visakhapatnam.

An official said two people were killed when a boat engaged to evacuate people capsized in Kendrapada district Saturday while another died on the Puri coast as he tried to save his fishing boat.

The state government said it has taken all precautionary measures to deal with the flood situation arising in the aftermath of the cyclone.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who held a review meeting Sunday, said the government was closely monitoring the situation to deal with possible floods in the state.

Deputy Relief Commissioner Pravat Ranjan Mohapatra said the water-level of different reservoirs in the state's southern parts has been brought down to compensate for anticipated additional inflow of rainwater.

Major reservoirs of the state are located at Koraput, Malkanagiri and Kalahandi districts, where IMD forecast heavy rainfall.

The water resources department has scaled down the water-level in Hirakud reservoir in Sambalpur district.

Besides, the government has undertaken a major evacuation drive to house vulnerable people at safe places. So far, it has evacuated around 71,000 people.