1 dead in Odisha flood, govt seeks IAF help
Odisha is staring at a major flood this monsoon after over 520 mm rainfall in the past 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.
A local Panchayat Samiti member’s husband died in a landslide while trying to rescue a family.
“We have requested four 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 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 rail bridge in Rayagada-Titlagarh section on Sunday just minutes before a goods train was about to pass over it.