11 more bodies found as flood water recedes in Orissa, toll 38

Rescuers today recovered 11 bodies after water receded from the inundated areas of Orissa taking the toll in the second spell of flood to 38 as the state government cancelled Dussehra holidays for personnel engaged in relief operation.

"As food water receded in most areas, some bodies were recovered today from paddy fields," Revenue and Disaster Management Minister SN Patro said.

Maximum casualties of nine each were reported from worst-hit Jajpur and Bhadrak districts.

While most victims died due to drowning, some succumbed to snakebite and wall collapse, the minister said.

"Certain pockets in Jajpur and Kendrapara districts still remained marooned though flood water receded in major rivers," he said adding the water level fell by five-six feet at several places as discharge into the sea was apparently facilitated after the new moon day yesterday.

In view of the prevailing situation, helicopters continued air-dropping of food packets in Rajkanika and Aul areas of Kendrapara district and Bari block of Jajpur, Special Relief Commissioner (SRC), PK Mohaptra said.

The government decided to continue air-dropping of food in these three areas tomorrow, he said adding tractors and boats were used for distribution of relief materials in a large number of flood-affected areas.

Only three of the six helicopters could undertake air-dropping operation due to technical reasons, SRC Mohapatra told reporters adding 12 sorties were undertaken.

While 1,362 villages remained marooned for over a week, the state government decided to cancel Durga puja holidays (from October 1 to 11) for officials engaged in relief operations.

"The officials will not be allowed to take leave during the period without prior approval of the SRC in deserving cases only," the minister said.

The decision was also applicable for officials of other districts deputed to affected districts for flood, relief, assessment and restoration works, he said.

Another six-member team along with leader OP Mahey, joint secretary in Ministry of Home Affairs, undertook damage assessment survey in Puri district.

The four-member team, which had visited Jajpur, Bargarh and Sambalpur districts, said up to 80 per cent of paddy crop and a large number of mud-built houses were damaged due to flood.

With gradual improvement in the situation, post-relief operations like repair of roads and tubewells, healthcare, sanitation and dis-infection of drinking water sources has begun.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who visited areas like Aul, Rajkanika, Bari and Bhandaripokhari, announced the government would provide Rs1,000 to each village in low-lying areas for sanitation activities.

While arrangements were made for sending health teams to flood-affected areas, NCC and NSS volunteers were asked to focus on healthcare and sanitation, SRC said adding NGOs would also be involved in post-relief work.

The focus now would be supply of safe drinking water and vaccination in the flood-hit areas.

Official sources said that 622 free kitchens were operating in different places where over 2.19 lakh people were provided with food, adding that three Air Force choppers made about 12 sorties dropping food packets.

Twenty-one of the 30 districts of the state were affected by successive floods in both Mahanadi river system as well as rivers like Brahmani, Baitarani, Budhabalang and Subarnarekha, sources said.

Besides NDRF personnel, the government has deployed Orissa Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) and fire brigade in rescue and search operation.