Life hit in some parts of rain-battered Odisha

Normal life was affected in several parts of Odisha, mainly in southern and northern parts of the state, due to heavy rains since Sunday that left many areas submerged.

The meteorological (Met) department here has forecast more showers in some places with heavy rainfall likely at some areas in Sundergarh, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Jharsuguda and Bargarh districts by tomorrow.

Rain and thundershower is likely to take place in several places in the state tomorrow, it said.

The flood water has started receding in many low-lying areas of the worst-hit Malkangiri district, while the situation has improved considerably in neighbouring Koraput and Rayagada districts.

Officials said vehicular movement on some roads in Malkangiri continued to be affected due to damage caused to bridges and culverts.

The water level in the Pangam river in the district has receded considerably, but it would take more time for resumption of normal vehicular traffic between Malkangiri and Jeypore in Koraput district as some portions of the road are damaged, they said.

Some low-lying areas in Ralegada and Dhuliput panchayats in Malkangiri remained inundated, while the road link between Khairput and Ramakunda was also affected.

Officials said some villages in Khairput block remained cut-off from the mainland due to submergence of surrounding areas.

In Mayurbhanj district in northern Odisha, there were some signs of improvement. Road communication between Baripada town and Udala was gradually getting normal as rain water receded fast, the officials said, adding that the intensity of rainfall also subsided.

The special relief commissioner's (SRC) office said in a statement that average rainfall of the state recorded on for the last 24 hours was 8.9 mm. Malkangiri district has received the highest average rainfall 46.7 mm.

The cumulative average rainfall of the state from June 1 till date was in surplus of 11.4 per cent over the long term average rainfall, it said.

Nine districts have received surplus rainfall of more than 19 per cent, whereas 21 districts have received normal rainfall (+19% to -19%) during the period, it added.