Bhubaneshwar, Sept 06: The water level in most of the rivers in Orissa is now falling, but the situation in the flood affected areas in coastal districts remains largely unchanged. According to the official estimates while there have been 26 deaths so far, nearly 30 lakh people across 18 districts have been affected in the current floods and 70,000 houses have been damaged. Also, over 4 lakh hectares of crop area have been affected. Nearly 1,700 cattle have died killed and 800 roads remain cut off.


Contrary to media reports, the state government claims that relief work has been conducted in a satisfactory manner and that an assessment of losses is being calculated.
"The flood work is going very well. People are getting their food, drinking water, and medicines. The assessment of damages to houses and building damages are underway and the crop damage will also be properly assessed," said Naveen Patnaik, Chief Minister, Orissa. The state government has already asked for an interim central assistance of Rs 250 crore.

Barring limited pockets, the situation in western and southern Orissa has improved considerably, but in the coastal belt, as many as 1239 villages are still marooned.

Despite the fall in the water levels in most rivers, the waterlogging persists, which means that relief as well as health operations in these areas are likely to continue at least for the next three days. Bureau Report