Odisha flood situation improves

BHUBANESWAR: The flood situation in Odisha slightly improved today with the rains relenting even as the state government asked collectors of five north and coastal districts to remain watchful of the IMD report on the impact of cyclonic storm 'Komen'.

Though the water level in the Baitarani and Budhabalang rivers was receding, the flood water continued to flow above the danger level in the Subarnarekha river, Special Relief Commissioner sources said.

Water resource secretary P K Jena said the district collectors were asked to remain prepared for heavy rain likely from August 1 because of the cyclone. The prevailing flood situation in five districts of Jajpur, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Bhadrak and Balasore could worsen, he said.

Hopeful about decline in water level in Subarnarekha by tonight, Jena said the administration would discharge additional water from Rengali Dam by opening one gate.

Meanwhile, personnel of the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force have recovered bodies of two persons who were swept away at Baliapal in Balasore district yesterday.

As many as 2.4 lakh people were affected and thousands of acres of agricultural land inundated due to floods in the five districts comprising Keonjhar, Jajpur, Mayurbhanj, Balasore and Bhadrak.

As per preliminary estimates by the revenue and disaster management department, about 2.4 lakh people of 282 villages under 11 blocks in five districts of Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Jajpur, Bhardak and Balasore have been affected by the current spell of floods.