Bhubaneswar/Rayagada/Bhawanipatna: The Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) today said flood situation is improving even as several villages remain cut off in Kalahandi and Rayagada districts.
"Flood situation in Kalahandi is improving. Cooked food is being distributed to the victims taking shelters at schools. Two ODRAF teams have camped in the district to tackle any possible eventuality. Voluntary organisations and local NGOs have come forward to assist in rescue and relief operations in the districts," SRC Bishnupada Sethy said.
"In Rayagada, the rescue operations have been expedited. We were informed that two villages have remained cut off in Niyamgiri hills of Rayagada. We have mobilised Dornier aircrafts with some relief materials to make ariel survey and study situation of the areas," Sethy added.
He informed that water level of Bansadhara river, which crossed the danger mark yesterday at Kasinagar in Paralakhemundi, has come down today. “People residing in lower catchment areas have been alerted and we are prepared to evacuate people if any grave situation arises,” he pointed out.
Communication between Nabarangpur and Kalahandi was disrupted as flood water is flowing above an under construction bridge near Dhansuli in Nabarangpur district.
Sources said around 300 families of 20 panchayats under Kalyansinghpur block of Rayagada were mostly affected by the deluge. Villages like Gururajpur, Ganganapeta, Goseinkantua, Katapeta and Brahmana Halua of the block are worst hit.
Several roads and bridges crossing across Nagabali river were damaged in the flood at many places.
Similarly, in Kalahandi district 24 panchayats under Thuamul Rampur block were marooned. More villages were submerged after water level went up in Sandula river on Monday night. As many as 70 families of Talabela panchayat have taken shelter in panchayat office after their houses were flooded with rain water.