Orissa Floods: Death Toll Reaches 22

Floods in Orissa claimed 22 lives on Sunday, and affected 14 lakh people across 19 districts. Flood victims have been complaining that no one has come to their rescue. Desperate villagers headed for safer areas after flood waters inundated their homes or washed them away. Several villagers took shelter on embankments and highways.

More than half the districts in Orissa and over 14 lakh people have been affected. Cuttack, Puri, Kendrapara, Jajpur and Sambalpur were among the worst hit. The state government claims 60,000 people have been evacuated to safer places. The government has mobilized Orissa Disaster Rapid Action Force and engaged two helicopters of the Indian Navy for rescue and relief operation.

Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said, "We are taking all measures to mitigate the sufferings of the people affected by flood. After damage assessment we will also seek help from the Centre for the damage caused by flood."

The huge flood water that was released from the Hirakud reservoir has already reached the downstream causing large scale devastation. But unfortunately much of the flood water will not evacuate in the sea for at least another three days because of the tidal conditions owing to full moon.
Source: IBN Live.