Incessant rains, floods claim 20 lives in Odisha; over 300,000 affected

A preliminary assessment indicated that 8,286 houses have been partially or fully damaged in the deluge that lasted for around four days, beginning on July 20

Heavy Rain : More than 300,000 people in 20 districts of Odisha have been affected, while at least 20 people died due to heavy rains and flood in the state, officials said on Wednesday.

Sources in the Special Relief Commissioner's (SRC) office said a total of 20 people died during two spells of rains and subsequent floods.

While five people died due to heavy to very rains, 15 others reportedly died in flood-related incidents.

The district administrations are verifying whether the deaths were due to floods, deputy SRC Pravat Ranjan Mohapatra said, adding, that four people were reported to have been killed in Kalahandi district.

A preliminary assessment indicated that 8,286 houses have been partially or fully damaged in the deluge that lasted for around four days, beginning on July 20.

While the first spell of rain continued for two days on July 15 and 16, the second one caused more damage from July 20 to July 23. The maximum damage due to rains and floods was reported on July 21 and July 22, they said.

Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) B P Sethi stated that the district authorities have been asked to complete the assessment of damages to private properties in two weeks and furnish a report for allotment of funds in the affected areas.

The situation has, however, changed for better in the past two days in the rain-affected districts and all people living in relief shelters have left for their houses on Wednesday, officials said.

Sources in the Meteorological department on Thursday said the state recorded just 1.4 mm average rainfall in the past 24 hours.

"Altogether, 21 districts have received little showers since Tuesday. Malkangiri is south Odisha received the maximum rainfall of 16.3 mm. Nine districts, including Balangir, Boudh, Dhenkanal, Kandhamal, Kendrapada and Puri, have not received any rainfall in 24 hours," Sethi added.

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