Orissa flood affects 21 lakh people, claims 17 lives

Bhubaneswar, Sep 25 (PTI) With floods in northern Orissa
affecting over 21 lakh people and claiming 17 lives, the
eastern Indian state government Sunday pressed six helicopters
and 462 boats in rescue and relief operation.
As a large number of villages were marooned in Jajpur,
Kendrapara, Bhadrak, Balasore, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj districts
due to floods in Brahmanai, Baitarani, Budhabalang,
Subarnarekha rivers and their tributaries, the government
pressed the choppers of Air Force and Indian Navy into service
for air-dropping food packets.
"Rescue of people from marooned villages is our top
priority. While choppers are engaged in air-dropping food
packets, 426 boats are being used to rescue people," Revenue
and Disaster Management Minister S N Patro said.
While 1.39 lakh people had been evacuated and provided
food at 258 free kitchens, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik asked
affected district administration to further evacuate people
from low-lying areas of Jajpur and Kendrapara.
The chief minister's direction followed a warning from
the water resources department that tomorrow would be
"crucial" for people living on both sides of Brahmani river,
officials said.
While water level in all rivers were decreasing, Brahmani
showed rising trend and it would further increase, Water
Resources Secretary Suresh Mohapatra said.
"The officials are persuading people to shift to safe
places as some people have been opposing evacuation," he said.
Bari block in Jajpur district, Rajnagar, Aul and
Rajkanika blocks in Kendrapara district are facing the threat
of inundation, Special Relief Commissioner P K Mohapatra said.