Even though the rivers flowing in the district have started receding, the ordeals of the flood-ravaged people seem to be far from over. The current flood, propelled by phailin, has caused unprecedented miseries to more than four lakh people in 11 blocks out of the total 12 across Baleswar district.
Although the water level of rivers including Budhabalanga, Subarnarekha and Jalka has shown the receding trend, the hapless affected people still continue to take shelter at higher places as their houses are still submerged in water. Subarnarekha and Jalka, till afternoon, were still above the danger level in the receding mode, a source said.
As per the latest update provided by the district emergency office, 1211 villages in 176 GPs and 26 wards under three NACs of Baleswar district have been affected by the current flood — termed worst in recent years.
So far the casualty figure has been five. The deceased have been identified as Runa Ojha (22) of Madhusudanpur, Soro; Mini Rout (4) of Odongi, Sadar; Madhusudan Jena (40) of Parakhi, Sadar; Kanhu Mandal (8), Singla Basta and Parthasarathi Hathi (10) of Katisahi under Bhograi block.
About 81,000 hectares of paddy land has been submerged in flood water, while 254 shelter camps have been erected where about 1.31 lakh people have been housed.
Arabinda Padhi, RDC, Central division, who is personally monitoring the rescue and relief works, said, “There are still many patches under Basta, Baliapal, Bhograi, Jaleswar, Sadar and Remuna inaccessible due to flood water.