Orissa flood situation grim, thousands evacuated

NDTV, Sept 19, 2008

The flood situation in Orissa continues to be grim with the waters of the Mahanadi river surging towards more areas. At least 15 of the 30 districts in the state are already affected. Thousands of people have been evacuated, and the coming hours are crucial.Air Force men rescuing people marooned in this village in Boudh district. Most people of Manikpur left for safer places as floodwater entered the village four days ago. But 25 of them chose to stay back on rooftops, hoping the water will recede. But that didn't happen.A victim rescued from Manikpur said that he had made desperate calls from his mobile, which was running out of battery for help because there was no escape route for 25 of them. Over 3000 people in Kalahandi, Balangir, Sonepur and Boudh districts in western Orissa have been marooned for the last three days. But a much bigger threat is building up here at Mundli barrage the last check-point for the surging floodwaters in Orissa's biggest river, the Mahanadi.In 1982, an inflow of nearly 16 lakh cusecs had breached embankments and caused large saale devastation across coastal Orissa. This time it appears to be worse. Engineer, Mundli barrage said that the floodwater inflow had touched 14 lakh cusec and the volume which was growing at 20,000 cusec per hour could exceed even 16 lakhs.But the state government claims it is all set to tackle the challenge. Chief Minister of Orissa Naveen Patnaik has said that all the arrangements have been made for rescue, relief and medical facilities in the four coastal districts. Experts say the peak flood in Mahanadi is expected around Saturday morning. There are fears it could spell trouble at 80 vulnerable points in Cuttack, Puri, Jagatsinghpur and Kendrapara, the four most flood-prone districts. But things may ease up if minor breaches here and there would reduce the pressure.