20 Odisha Districts Affected By Floods, Damage Assessment Report In 7 Days, Says Minister

Bhubaneswar: Floods affected at least 20 districts in Odisha which recorded heavy rains due to low pressure in Bay of Bengal, in two phases, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said on Friday.

“No loss of life has been reported. However, crops, agricultural lands, and houses have been damaged in several districts,” said Pujari and added that the administration of these districts have been asked to submit damage assessment report within 7 days with the R&DM department.

In the first phase southern Odisha districts Malkangiri and Koraput witnessed floods that damaged cultivated lands. The damage caused in Malkanagiri district was much more, said Pujari.

In the second phase, Sundargarh, Mahyurbhanj and Balasore and Bhadrak to some extent were affected due to floods. In the second phase, Balasore district was worst affected, the Minister added.

“A dam in Jharkhand has not been fully built and it also has habitation because of which residual water during rains ingresses into Mayurbhanj and Balasore districts,” said Pujari.

It was a full moon phase due to which rivers could not empty into the Bay of Bengal adequately leading to worsening of the flood situation. “However, the situation has improved and water level in affected areas is going down,” the Minister added.