One dead in Odisha flood, state govt seeks IAF help with rescue

Odisha is staring at a major flood this monsoon after over 520 mm rainfall in the last 24 hours in Kalahandi and Rayagada districts flooded most parts of the two districts with one person dying in a landslide.

Rains triggered by a low pressure over Bay of Bengal since Saturday have led to flash floods in Nagabali and Kalyani rivers of Rayagada district affecting over 7,000 people in Kalyansinghpur block. Unconfirmed reports said three persons — a minor and two elderly persons — were swept away by flood water in Kalyansingpur block. Alocal Panchayat Samiti member’s husband died in a landslide while trying to rescue a family. With over 70% of the block flooded, health concerns are also looming.

“We have requested 4 helicopters from Indian Air Force for dropping food packets in affected areas. Another Naval helicopter in Vishakhapatnam is in a State of readiness for rescue. With more rains expected in southern Odisha till July 18, we are taking no chances,” said special relief commissioner Bishnupada Sethi, after chief minister Naveen Patnaik conducted a review meeting of relief and rescue operations on Sunday.

In Rayagada, four road bridges were washed away while in Kalahandi, Hati river was flowing over the bridge connecting Junagad and Bhawanipatna.

A major rail mishap was averted after heavy rains washed away a railway bridge in Rayagada-Titlagarh section on Sunday morning just minutes before a goods train was about to pass over it. Chief public relations officer of the east coast railway zone, JP Mishra said an alert gangman stopped the goods train in the nick of time. Though restoration efforts are underway, at least 17 trains on the route were either cancelled, terminated or controlled en-route.

The Met office in Bhubaneswar has forecast heavy rain in north, interior and coastal parts of the state till July 20 as the low pressure area over NorthWest Bay of Bengalis likely to intensify into a depression.

The southern and adjoining coastal areas would experience very heavy rainfall till July 18.

CRPF and state fire services officials are continuing their rescue and relief efforts in Kalyansinghpur block.

THE MET OFFICE IN BHUBANESWAR HAS FORECAST HEAVY RAIN IN NORTH, INTERIOR AND COASTAL PARTS OF THE STATE TILL JULY 20 AS THE LOW PRESSURE AREA MAY INTENSIFY