Bhubaneswar: With flood water in Mahanadi
river system gradually receding, Orissa government today said
it would launch post-relief operation in 19 affected districts
where 20 persons have died and nine others are missing.
"There is substantial improvement in the flood situation
in the state. Now we have to start post-relief operation as
many people have lost their houses and belongings in the
calamity," Revenue and Disaster Management Minister S N
Patro said.
While six persons each died in Kendrapara and Jajpur
districts, three persons lost their lives in Mayurbhanj, two
each in Sambalpur and Dhenkanal district and one in Bhadrak.
About 20.71 lakh people of 3973 villages in 19 of the
state`s districts were affected by the flood.
“Though water receded from most places, some pockets in
Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Cuttack, Nayagarh and Boudh
were cut off from rest of the world," said Special Relief
Commissioner P K Mohapatra.
"1,57,767 persons had been evacuated from low laying areas
and fed in 275 relief camps," the minister said.
About 60 tons of food material were dropped by four
choppers today for the people marooned for three days,
Mohapatra said, adding air-dropping of food packets will
continue tomorrow.
Chief Secretary B K Patnaik said medical teams were sent
to flood-hit areas to undertake sanitation activities.
"We have asked all the secretaries to make field visit to
ensure that drinking water, road connectivity, power supply
and other facilities were in place as soon as possible,"
Patnaik said.
Meanwhile, water level at Hirakud reservoir remained at
628.97 feet with the inflow coming down.
PTI
