Flood situation continues to remain grim in north Odisha, with six districts affected and 126 villages still marooned amid rising rivers and continuing rain.
Around eight lakh people have been affected, while nearly 42-thousand hectares of cropland have suffered damage, adding to the hardship of flood-hit communities. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has conducted an aerial survey of Bhadrak and Jajpur districts today, as the state braces for further rainfall.
Our correspondent reports that floodwaters have affected six districts-Keonjhar, Bhadrak, Balasore, Mayurbhanj, Jajpur and Kendrapara-with around eight lakh people in 1,304 villages affected. The Baitarani, Brahmani and Salandi rivers continue to flow above danger levels.
In flood-hit areas, people are facing acute shortages of food, drinking water and electricity, besides inadequate shelter. The threat from crocodiles, snakes and other poisonous reptiles has further added to their distress.
The Water Resources Department says the situation may persist for another four to five days, while further rainfall is likely to add to the challenges.