Fresh floods claim four lives

The New Indian Express, Aug 13, 2007

BHUBANESWAR: Fresh floods in Rayagada and Kalahandi districts claimed four lives while over 1.3 lakh people remained marooned after incessant rains triggered by monsoon, and powered by a low pressure off the coast, lashed the State on Sunday.

A number of rivers rose while Banshadhara was flowing above the danger line. With the Met office predicting more rains during the next couple of days, the rivers could cause more damage. In the last 24 hours, Kalahandi was lashed by torrential rains with Junagarh receiving over 33 cm rain followed by Bhawanipatna with 18 cm.

Floods in Hati river which was in spate following heavy rains gripped 51,000 people in 13 blocks of Kalahandi. Over 467 villages in 203 GPs were in the clutches of the swirling waters.

One Somu Swain drowned after the truck he was driving was swept away by the floodwater along National Highway No 201 on Saturday evening. Similarly, a 30 year old man was electrocuted during the heavy rains in the district.

The Special Relief Commissioner (SRC)'s office said public property worth Rs 9.5 crore were damaged by the floods in the district. In Rayagada, two persons were swept away in floods that gripped a population of 80,000 in 48 villages of 11 blocks.

The office of Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) said 400 villagers had to be evacuated as Bandhadhara was flowing one meter above danger mark of 83 meter. Four relief camps have been set up.

Meanwhile, the met office has said that the well marked low pressure off the Orissa coast is likely to concentrate into a depression. Under its influence, rain will occur at most places while extremely heavy falls - over 25 cm - too are likely at a few places during the next 48 hours.

While local cautionary signal number three has been hoisted at Paradip, Chandbali, Puri and Gopalpur, strong surface wind reaching a speed of 45 km to 55 kmph is likely to blow along and off Orissa coast. Sea condition will be rough, the weather office said.