Bhubaneswar: Rain and floods in Odisha have claimed eight lives in the last 24 hours, Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Bishnupada Sethi confirmed on Tuesday.
In Kalahandi district, body of a man, who had gone missing in Petaphula river last Tuesday, was recovered from Indravati dam near Mahulpatna. The victim has been identified as Sena Majhi of Kathakhura village under Thuamul-Rampur block. In Karlamunda block, Jitu Rana, a cattle grazer, was swept away by the floodwater while trying to cross a nullah on Monday evening, according to media reports.
Briefing the media at Lok Seva Bhawan, the SRC further said that major rivers in the state were flowing below the danger mark and seven ODRAF teams along with Fire Service personnel were engaged in rescue operations in Boudh, Kalahandi, Nabarangpur, Koraput, Malkangiri, Rayagada and Kandhamal districts.
Incessant and heavy rainfall has wreaked havoc in several parts of the state.
Even as Odisha averaged over 100 mm rainfall in the last 24 hours, Karlamunda block in Kalahandi district recorded 608 mm, the highest in any block this season, the SRC said.
As recorded at 8.30 am on Tuesday, Balangir has received maximum 226.3 mm rainfall followed by Boudh (169.7 mm), Kalahandi (160.4 mm), Sonepur (139. 9 mm) and Kandhamal (125 mm), he informed.
The situations of different districts are as follows:
Kalahandi
Three villages affected in Mohangiri GP of M.Rampur block due to flooding of Kaliganga river. About 90 persons have been safely sheltered in Sarabeda School as the village has been marooned in water. In Tejipada and Deulipada villages, about 65 people are being provided cooked food in central school Mohangiri. Doctor, ASHA and Anganwadi workers are also present in
shelters.
Road cut off at:
1. Damkarlakhunta bridge
2. Manikera
3. All roads to Mohangiri
Kandhamal
Due to incessant Rainfall, diversions near NH 59 near Baliguda (Bataguda) and Tumudibandh (Mandalpadar) connecting to Kalahandi have been washed away. On Tuesday except Baliguda area other blocks received moderate rainfall. Baliguda received heavy rainfall.
ODRAF team along with all field functionaries have deployed at Landagaon and Khamankhol GP (Baliguda) with all food stock to tackle any untoward situation. Diversion work in NH 59 has been completed near Bataguda (Baliguda) and Tumudibandh, the work is still going on.
Restoration is in progress.
Sonepur
Three villages in Tarabha block have been affected due to heavy rain.
Boudh
People from three villages in Kantamal block have been evacuated. Evacuation is going on in five more villages.