7 lakh still marooned even as water recedes

BHUBANESWAR: (visakeo)As rains relented and flood water started to withdraw in many parts, the State Government mounted relief operation to reach out to the marooned in Kendrapara, Puri and Cuttack.


Of the 41 lakh declared flood-hit in 19 districts, Nuapada was added to the list today, close to seven lakh were still marooned with more breaches and submergence. Large parts in Delang and Kanas blocks of Puri district remained cut off for the seventh day as relief teams could not reach the remote pockets because of strong current in the rivers.

Similar situation prevailed in Kendrapara and Cuttack forcing the Government to airdrop relief materials in Delang, Garadpur, Marshaghai, Nischintkoili as well as Dampada. As many as 4,800 packets were distributed from air on the day by IAF choppers.

The administration specifically focussed on making available babyfood in the affected areas. About 90 tonne babyfood was despatched to the affected areas today.

Meanwhile, casualties in the current flood reached 56 with eight more cases reported today. Of the 5,915 affected villages, close to 1,000 remained cut off.

With water receding, the Government started assessing the damage as a Central team is likely to visit soon to take stock.

As of now, 1.33 lakh houses have been damaged, while crops on 4.63 lakh hectare stand destroyed, an official source said. The Government put the number of road breaches at close to 1,400 and river embankments at 91.

The Government hoped that the situation would improve as rains have stopped and flow in the Mahanadi was dropping fast.

On Thursday, the flow stood at 3.42 lakh at Munduli and just one gate was open at Hirakud. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik reviewed the situation today, and directed the authorities to reach out to the cut-off areas.

Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Manmohan Samal said the Government was holding talks with banks so that zero balance accounts could be created. It will facilitate delivery of compensation to victims, he told mediapersons here.

However, fresh threat emerged for the residents of Bhadrak as the Salindi river was in spate after torrential rain in its catchment.

The administration has issued a warning to locals not to venture near the river bank.