Bhubaneshwar: Aug 31: Floods in the state triggered by heavy monsoon rains have marooned tens of thousands of people in low-lying areas. Army and Navy personnel are helping civilian authorities in rescue operations. Many people are leaving their homes and are moving to safer places along with their cattle. "In 2001 there was a similar situation here. It also caused a lot of damage then. This time we don't want to take any chance and that's why we are moving to a safer place with our children," said Bijoy Nanda, a villager.
Tuna Rout, another resident, said, "The whole night we could not sleep at all. We don't know what to do and where to go. Now with the increasing water level, there is no other way than to leave our homes." Heavy rains have also forced authorities to release water downstream from dam across the powerful Mahanadi. The water level at the Hirakud dam, about 350 km (220 miles) northwest of state capital Bhubaneswar, had reached 188 metres (628 feet), less than a metre below its limit.

The state government, meanwhile, said it has made elaborate arrangements to tackle the flood situation. "Elaborate arrangements have been made to face the situation. The collectors have been contacted, they are giving reports from time to time.

"Control rooms are open for 24 hours a day. All the officers are in the field. Power boards are ready and they are also under-taking the rescue operations," Bishwabhushan Hharichandan, Orissa state Revenue Minister said. The weather office has forecast more rains over the next 36 hours and the state is bracing for fresh flooding. The June-September monsoon is crucial to the Indian economy as around 70 percent of the country's one-billion plus population depends on agriculture.
But the often torrential downpours also cause flooding every year.
Bureau Report