The cyclonic storm ‘Titli’ has left behind a trail of misery long coastal and southern Odisha which has been battered by heavy rain during the last 24 hours.
The government is yet to confirm reports of at least seven deaths and close to 15,000 people — including over 13,000 in Gajapati district — were shifted to relief camps. Rescue operations were launched to save people stranded in areas cut-off by swirling floodwater.
Bridges and culverts were washed away in many areas. The State government is carrying out restoration work on war-footing with help of 26 units of National Disaster Response Force and Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Forces. Many remote pockets especially in Gajapati, Rayagada, Balasore, Kandhamal and Ganjam districts could not be accessed.
As many as 10 fire service units have been rushed to Ganjam district where flood situation is said to be critical.
Seventy eight out 314 blocks of the State received over 100 mm rainfall. The highest (351 mm) rainfall was recorded in G. Udaygiri of Kandhamal district during the 24 hours, ending at 8 a.m. on Friday. It was followed by Kantapada of Cuttack district where the precipitation was measured at 319 mm.
Landslips were reported in Cuttack and Mayurbhanj district. Three members of a family from Hatamala village in Athagarh block of Cuttack district were rescued from beneath the soil
“As of now, the cyclone was lying at a distance of 30 km northeast of Kandhamal and closer to Angul. It is expected the system would move away from the State by evening,” said Bishnupada Sethi, Special Relief Commissioner of the State.
Under the impact of the cyclone, coastal and interior Odisha would receive heavy rainfall during next 24 hours, Mr. Sethi added.
Three rivers, Rushikulya, Vanshadhara and Jalaka, are flowing above danger level while large areas have been inundated by floodwater. In urban areas, civic authorities are working overtime to clear water-logging.
People had a difficult time in Aska town in Ganjam district. “In the morning 7 to 8-foot high water was flowing through the town. People were forced to take shelter on rooftops. Inmates of Aska jail were shifted to first floor as main gate of the prison was damaged by the water,” said Mr. Sethi.