Flood situation remains grim in Orissa

Floods continue to wreak havoc in OrissaBoudh (Orissa), Sept 23 : Flood situation in Orissa remained grim on Tuesday following heavy rains in the catchment area of Mahanadi River.

Large parts of the state were inundated after authorities were forced to open dozens of sluice gates of the Hirakud dam on the Mahanadi River.

The Mahanadi breached its banks at several places and floodwaters had swept away highways in some areas.

In Boudh District of Orissa, many villages like Kutasingha, Panimora, Kaleswar, Kumari, Bankapudi remained marooned today.

District authorities warned of more floods in the state''s coastal belt once more water is released from the Hirakud dam on the Mahanadi.

"I haven''t seen this kind of disaster for 28 years and I believe the state machinery is incapable to handle the situation here as it has decided to release more water from the Hirakund dam. If they had managed properly, things would not have taken this shape," said Rajani Kant Das, a flood victim.

However, authorities said the relief work is on and boats have been pressed into service for rescue work.

"Twelve thousand people in the block have been affected. We have 13 relief centers and 6678 people have been covered by relief, 7000 people have been provided with cooked food. Power boats and country boats have been put into service," said Mohan Prasad Mishra, the District Collector of Boudh.

According to official sources, some two lakh people have been evacuated. (ANI)

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