Flood situation continued to be grim in Balasore district for the fourth consecutive day on Sunday. Routrapur and Rasalpur villages in Baliapal block have been the worst hit as those were cut off from the mainland for nearly three days.
Flood water was flowing four feet above the Gandhi Chhack-Baliapal road that connects the block with the district headquarters.
Villagers alleged that though they had been demanding stone packing of the river embankment since long, neither the irrigation officials nor the revenue officials have taken any measure in this regard.
Locals gheraoed a Junior Engineer and local Tehsildar who had gone to take a stock of the situation. They said they would release the officials after they get compensation from the administration and permanent flood control measures are taken up. They were, however, pacified after the Sub-Collector assured them of looking into their demands.
One Manmath Khanda of Bishnupur village died after he was swept away in the flood water. The mishap occurred when he was returning home from the market.
Meanwhile, 18 fishermen had a narrow escape when two boats carrying them capsized in river Chiteibudi, a tributary of Subarnarekha. The incident took place when they were coming to Gabagaon village from the nearby fishing jetty. Of 11 boats anchored at the jetty, nine were completely damaged.
A fisherman Baburam Dalai said along with the boats, fishing nets worth over Rs 4 lakh also have been swept away in the flood water.