Swirling floodwater from different rivers has cut off nearly 2.5 lakh people in 400 villages from rest of Odisha with the government struggling to reach out to them with basic necessities.
Jajpur and Bhadrak districts have been affected badly by floodwater from Baitarani river. Most of the marooned villages are reported in Dasrathpur and Bari blocks of Jajpur and Dhamnagar of Bhadrak district.
Thousands of people have taken shelter on the roof while those who lived in mud houses had to flee to safer places. The government on Wednesday admitted that 2,41,658 people in 398 villages were marooned. According to information, 27 people have been killed in the flood.
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Inadequate country boats and inflatable boats being used by fire service personnel and disaster response force hampered rescue and relief operations in those areas. Stranded amid sea of water, villagers are facing multiple problems ranging from availing safe drinking water to feeding infants and managing their cattle.
Besides, people have alleged that medical teams were grossly inadequate in view of the magnitude of flood. As many as 28 medical teams have been sent to flood affected zones.
Special Relief Commissioner P. K. Mohapatra, however, said communication was not a problem and administration was reaching out to affected population with adequate food stuff and other basic materials such as polythene sheets.
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As many as 1553 villages in 23 of 30 districts are affected by the current flood and heavy rain. An estimated one million people have been hit by flood. The government said 184 boats were deployed and 1.39 lakh people have been evacuated during the past couple of days.
Water Resource Secretary Suresh Mohapatra said flood situation in Baitarani river was likely to improve on Thursday.