Even though waters have started receding almost two days after the heavy rain which pounded several parts of the State under the impact of Very Severe Cyclonic Storm Titli, the situation continued to be grim in Baleswar district on Sunday.
In Baleswar, the Budhabalanga river flowed below the danger mark of 7.8 metre near Barunighat. However, the Jalaka river was flowing slightly above the danger mark while several villages of Mathani, Sadanandpur, Sindurhata and Paida were still marooned.
The situations in Sadar and Remuna blocks were yet to improve despite there being no rain.
As per reports, 30 families of Sindurhata took shelter at a primary school while local BDO informed that already cooked food was being provided to the flood-hit people.
The flood situation in Ganjam district was also improving with the water levels of major rivers also decreasing as there was no rainfall in the past 24 hours.
However, though floodwaters were also receding from several localities, normalcy was yet to be restored.
Aska town was the worst-affected by the flash floods following heavy rains triggered by the Cyclone Titli. Thousands of people were still stranded while relief materials were being airdropped by two helicopters of the Navy.
“Airdropping of food packets is being carried out in Aska and periphery areas in Puroshuttampur,” said Ganjam Collector Vijay Amruta Kulange.
Keeping in view the improving situation, State Government decided to stop providing cooked food in the relief camps from Sunday evening.
The decision was made in a high-level review meeting presided over by Chief Secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi at the State Secretariat.
Later, Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Bishnupada Sethi said, “As the floodwaters have receded in Ganjam, Gajapati and Rayagada districts, with the improvement in the weather conditions people would return to their houses. Considering this, no cooked food will be provided in the relief camps in these districts from this evening.”
“As decided by the Government, the affected families will be provided relief for 15 days, for which the money for the 15 days will be deposited in the bank account of the family members at the rate of Rs 60 for each elderly person and Rs 45 for each child,” Sethi added.