Bhubaneswar: Strong winds coupled with torrential rainfall in the wake of very severe cyclonic storm Yaas have wreaked havoc in several coastal and interior districts of Odisha.
Cyclonic storm Yaas barrelled through the coast of Odisha after making landfall with hostile winds of around 130 to 140 kmph gusting up to 150 know near Bahanaga in Balasore yesterday and ripped across the north interior pockets of the State through Mayurbhanj before entering Jharkhand. The storm has now weakened into a depression.
Water-level in several rivers like Bhandan, Kantakhairi, Deo, Baitarani emerging from Similipal have risen due to heavy rainfall in the national park. Some families in Asanpur village which were trapped due to flash flood in Bhandan river were rescued by police and fire personnel late last night. Some of the residents who were sick were ferried to nearby cyclone shelter.
In Balasore, the cyclonic storm caused massive damage in Kochiakoili area in Khaira block of the district. Several houses were damaged due to waterlogging while numerous trees were toppled by strong winds during the storm. Fire-fighters have been deployed in relief operations.
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Meanwhile, in Rourkela, several places especially the low-lying regions in the city like Pradhan Colony, Gopabandhupalli have been waterlogged following nearly two days of incessant downpour pounding misery on people. The Rourkela Municipal Corporation authorities have distributed food and other relief materials to affected people while road clearing, drainage and other restoration works have been carried out.