The flood situation is improving in several parts of south and western Odisha as rainfall decreased in these areas on Thursday. But still several flood-affected villages remained marooned.
In Kalahandi district, floodwater receded after the low pressure-induced rain subsided. The water which partially submerged Kotengaon village receded while water from three marooned villages like Balichhada, Matikhal and Biripur in Kalahandi district was gradually receding.
However, some people were reportedly stranded while returning home to celebrate the ensuing Nuakhai festival as water was flowing above a bridge over Hati river on NH-26. Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) G V V Sarma said one more person died on Thursday, raising the flood death toll to two. "The body of Rabindra Muduli of Hataguda village under Koraput Block in Koraput district has been recovered," he said.
Three 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.
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.
Meanwhile, a bulletin issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Thursday predicted more rain in the southern and northern districts of Odisha under the influence of a deep depression. The bulletin said the depression over south Odisha and adjoining Chhattisgarh has moved west-northwestwards and concentrated into a deep depression. Rain or thundershowers may occur at many places over south Odisha and a few places over north Odisha under its influence, the bulletin said.