With water receding fast, flood situation in 12 blocks of Odisha's Balasore district is likely to improve. As the sun reappeared after a week and floodwater receded, people feel a sigh of relief expecting the food materials could reach them.
Though road links to many cut off areas have been restored, at least 20 villages in Bhogarai, Baliapal and Jaleswar blocks are still marooned. People are surrounded by floodwater of Subarnarekha in Mohammadpur, Deunr, Uladi, Darua, Upalhat, Nadabani, Mahadia, Chandapasangi,Chakeisab and Sianrui villages.
Meanwhile, death toll due to flood and cyclone has reached 16 in Balasore district with a 50-year-old from Darada village of Basta block drowning in a flooded area while returning to his home.
Sources said, relief operations, which was disrupted as the water was flowing over the roads in the food affected areas have been resumed after the roads are restored and the officials of the administration have managed to reach out some of the inaccessible pockets.
As the Met officials forecast more rain once again in the effect of a depression in Bay of Bengal, people living along the bank of Subarnarekha are scared due to un-repaired breaches.
A flood hit Sankar Behera said the spur no. 13 had been washed away in the recent flood. “The river water would flood a vast area if the level crosses 11 meter mark. The residents will be hit once again unless the spur is repaired as soon as possible,” he said adding that many flood victims are still on the road and yet to return to their homes.
Official sources said, nearly 11,40,309 people in 1402 villages under 195 panchayats in 12 blocks – Bhogarai, Jaleswar, Baliapal, Basta, Sadar, Remuna, Nilagiri, Oupada, Khaira, Bahanaga, Simulia and Soro have been affected. Paddy areas of around 81,103 acres have been damaged.
Union Home Secretary Anil Goswami who was scheduled to visit flood affected ares in Balasore on Sunday could not make his trip due to inclement weather conditions and wind in Ganjam which he toured first. He was to fly from there to Balasore.