Floods displace 14 lakh, maroon 2600 villages in Orissa

Tens of thousands of people have been affected by severe floods in Orissa that has submerged some 2600 villages across 19 districts.

Official Sources informed that over 14 lakh people have been affected by the state's devastating floods with Cuttack, Puri, Kendrapara, Jajpur and Sambalpur being the worst hit.

The state government reportedly has evacuated some 60,000 people to safer places. The floods have claimed 22 lives so far.

Continuous rains over the past one week have forced the government to intensify relief and rescue operations. State authorities attributed the floods to overflowing rivers such as Mahanadi that has caused destruction to thousands of houses, crops and livestock.

Media reported that the situation is likely to remain critical for the next two days as it would be difficult for excess water to be released into the sea.

"The situation is critical as excess water from Mahanadi river will not be released into the sea easily due to the full moon on Monday," special relief Commissioner P K Mohapatra said.

Meanwhile, about 150 relief camps with free kitchens have been opened in Angul, Balasore, Bargarh, Boudh, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Jharsuguda, Mayurbhanj, Puri, Sambalpur and Subarnapur districts.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Sunday took an aerial review of the affected areas.

"We are taking all measures to mitigate the sufferings of the people affected by flood. After damage assessment we will also seek help from the Centre for the damage caused by flood," CNN-IBN quoted the minister as saying.

Some 1,400 boats has been pressed into service for relief and rescue operations. A naval ship from Vishakhapatnam with a helicopter and relief material is set to join the operation on Monday.