Odisha flood: Two swept away, 24,000 people affected in Kendrapara dist

Reported by Vishwanath Kumar

Kendrapara, Aug 6:

Two persons were swept away today by the strong current of flood waters in Marshaghai area of Kendrapara district in Odisha, reports said.

Around 24,000 villagers have been affected as flood water from Luna and Chitrotpala rivers gushed into a vast stretch covering 15 gram panchayats of the district.

Biswajit Swain (24) of Godhan village and Agani Swain (65) of Penth-Balikuda village are feared drowned in the flood water while they were taking bath in the river Paika today.

“We have received the report of the two separate drowning incidents. The body of Swain is yet to be retrieved”, said Kendrapara sub collector, Pratap Chandra Mishra.

Around 6,000 residents, mostly from low lying riverside villages, have so far been marooned in Marshaghai and Garadpur blocks of the district.

About 1200 have been moved from vulnerable spots to safer places. Adequate relief has been dispatched to the affected people and free kitchen is also being organized for the people living in marooned areas, he said.

A team of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been stationed in Marshaghai area to expedite relief and rescue work. The administration is on the alert as Mahanadi river water level is anticipated to rise further tonight. The revenue officials and engineers in charge of flood control would maintain night vigil on the embankment sites, he added.