Large number of Odia people return from Kerala

A large number of people from Odisha who were stranded in Kerala due to the floods today returned to the state by train and many more are expected to reach tomorrow, officials said.

A large number of people from Ganjam, Nayagarh and Kandhamal districts of Odisha returned from Kerala by train today, they said.

According to an East Coast Railway (ECoR) official, the passengers who returned from Kerala were mostly labourers from Odisha.

"We were kept at a shelter home in Kerala before being carried to railway station. We are happy that we reached Odisha safely," said Simanchal Patra, a youth at the Berhampur railway station.

A special train from Thiruvananthapuram left for Silchar at 2 pm today in which a number of Odia people are travelling and is expected to reach Bhubaneswar tomorrow morning, they said.

The members of Self Help Groups (SHGs) including weavers from Odisha who are reportedly stranded in flood-hit Kerala during their visit to attend a fair at Chengannur town are safe, said Odisha Rural Development and Marketing Society (ORMAS) director, Biranchi Das.

"Twenty one artisans including five women had gone to Kerala and got stranded due to heavy rains. All their products have been damaged. As the fair was insured, there will be no problem in getting compensation," Das said.

A special train will leave for Ernakulam from Bhubaneswar via Visakhapatnam on August 23 for evacuating more people stranded in deluge-hit southern state, railway officials said.

According to ECoR sources, 08463 Bhubaneswar-Ernakulam Special Train will leave Bhubaneswar at 0400 hours on August 23 and and will reach at Ernakulam at 1230 hours on August 24.

In the return direction, 08464 Ernakulam-Bhubaneswar Special Train will leave Ernakulam at 1730 hours on August 24 and will arrive at Bhubaneswar at 0545 hours on August 26.