Floods Wreck Odisha, Chhattisgarh As Thousands Throng Relief Camps

Incessant rains in the last three-four days have devastated many parts of eastern India

(Photo: Arnica Kala/The Quint)

Incessant rains in the last three-four days have devastated many parts of eastern India, in particular the states of Odisha and Chhattisgarh whose districts are grappling with floods.

So far, three deaths have been reported from Odisha and four from Chhattisgarh.

Odisha: Depression Weakens, But Floodwater Continues To Devastate

As per the latest information which has come from the Odisha government, nine districts have been severely affected while over 1,30,000 people are struggling with the floods.

The districts bordering Andhra Pradesh like Rayagada, Koraput, Nabarangpur, Kandhamal, Gajapati, Malkangiri, those bordering Chattisgarh like Bolangir and Sambalpur and the Kalahandi district is in South Odisha are amongst the most affected.

Five districts of the state had recorded an average rainfall of more than 100 mm in the last 24 hours, said an official.

Jharsuguda recorded 207.2 mm rainfall, Kalahandi 150.7 mm, Bolangir 117.2 mm, Jajpur 115.4 mm and Koraput 110.6 mm rainfall during the period. Two blocks in Kalahandi district recorded rainfall of over 300 mm, nine blocks registered showers between 200 mm and 300 mm, and 53 blocks between 100 mm and 200 mm.

Seven teams of the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) have been deployed, one each in the districts of Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, Koraput, Rayagada, Gajapati, Kandhamal and Kalahandi.

Over 14,000 people have been evacuated thus far and about 95 relief camps have been set up to provide food to the affected.

While three have been reported, two others have been reported missing.

However, the good news for the state is that the depression over the area is now weakening and has centred around north Chattisgarh.

Chhattisgarh: Bastar Severely Affected, Communication Cut-Off

The Bastar region of North Chhattisgarh is the worst affected.

Over 17 relief camps have been set up in the district, which at present are housing over 1,000 people.

Heavy rains in the last 48 hours have caused both the Indravati and the Sabari rivers to flow beyond the danger mark. Water from the Sabari River has flown on to National Highway 30 in Sukma because of which vehicular movement has been affected.

Many inter-state bus services have also been affected as water from the Indravati flowed onto highways in the Bhopalpatnam region. Train services were also suspended. As of now, work is underway to get the flooded train tracks back to working condition.

The areas of Sukma, Dantewada, Bijapur, Jagdalpur and Chitrakoot are also severely affected with the floodwater destroying many houses, and people being cut-off from major road heads.

This is reportedly the most amount of rain Chattisgarh has seen in the last ten years. However, the final figures are yet to come in.

Till date, four people have been reported dead which include at least one child, while many others have been injured, some being in a critical condition.