Odisha flood toll rises to two; 25,000 people hit

One more person died today, raising the toll due to flash floods in Odisha to two, even as rescue and relief operations have been geared up in the state to cope with the situation caused due to continuous rains which have affected 25,000 people in three districts.
"The body of Rabindra Muduli of Hataguda village under Koraput Block in Koraput district, has been recovered. Muduli was missing since two days," Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) G V V Sarma said.
Earlier, Shiba Sankar Sahu (40), of Gopabandhu Nagar under Similiguda block had died after being swept away by flood water, he said.

Three southern districts of Koraput, Kalahandi and Nabarangpur have been affected due to the flash floods caused due to heavy downpour since last three days, the SRC said.
Fire service personnel and jawans of the Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA) have been deployed in the affected areas, he said.
Relief and rescue operations were being carried out in full swing by the Koraput district administration where at least ten villages were marooned.

Block Development Officers (BDOs) of Boipariguda, Borigumma and Kundra have been deployed in Kotpad block, the worst affected area in the district, the SRC said.
Train operations on Koraput-Jagadalpur and Koraput-Rayagada routes have been suspended as a safety measure. The services will be resumed after due inspection of railway lines, the SRC said.

In Nabarangpur district, two villages of Nabarangpur block, five villages of Tentulikhunti block and 19 villages of Kosagumuda block have been affected by the floods.
Out of 6,500 people affected in the district, 173 persons of Sirisi village have been evacuated and sheltered in a school. About 42 dwelling houses have been damaged in several villages of Tentulukhunti block, the SRC said.
Flood water of Hati river was flowing five feet above a bridge at Junagarh disrupting traffic on NH-26, the SRC said.
The flood water which partially submerged Kotengaon village has receded and flood water from three marooned villages like Balichhada, Matikhal and Biripur in Kalahandi district are gradually receding.