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Seven killed in Orissa floods

Staff Reporter

With Mahanadi and other rivers swelling, over 6 lakh people are affected

— Photo: AP

DESPERATE EFFORT: A villager holds on to a telephone post while trying to collect floating sticks to be used for cooking, at the Naraj barrage on the Kathjodi river in Cuttack on Friday.

BHUBANESWAR: Over six lakh people were affected in different parts of Orissa following floods in the Mahanadi and other rivers.

Seven people were killed and several others missing by Friday evening. Athagarh, Banki, some parts of Boudh, Cuttack and Kendrapara districts were the worst hit. Floodwaters had already entered 2,649 villages.

According to the Revenue and Disaster Management department, the worst was to yet come.

It is feared that over 15 lakh cusecs of floodwater would be flowing down through the Mundali point in the Mahanadi. This could cause much damage to downstream habitations in coastal Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur and Kendrapara districts.

Relief measures

While rescue and rehabilitation operations were launched in the marooned areas, truckloads of relief materials were being sent there. Boats were kept ready.

The government said that the water level had risen to the full capacity level of the Hirakud reservoir, while 26 gates were opened to balance the inflow.

Depression in the Bay

Orissa is experiencing floods following two days of incessant rains under the influence of the deep depression over the Bay of Bengal early this week.

CORRECTIONS AND CLARIFICATIONS

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