Flash floods kill one in Orissa, displace thousands

BHUBANESWAR - At least one person was killed and over 10,000 people were displaced as flash floods triggered by torrential rains submerged many homes in three Orissa districts, an official said Friday.

Many parts of the state have been witnessing heavy rains since Wednesday. The three districts of Kalahandi, Gajapati and Nabrangpur have been worst affected by the flash floods as rivers overflowed and floodwaters entered into low-lying areas, an official of the state relief control room told IANS.

A 60-year-old man of Ghataguda village in Kalahandi drowned in the floodwaters and another person of the same village went missing, he said.

The Hati river in Kalahandi, Bhaskar river in Nabrangpur and Bansadhara river in Gajapati districts overflowed and water entered villages near the river banks, the official said.

At least 11,000 people, including women and children, have taken shelter in seven relief camps set up by authorities in various places in Kalahandi, he said.

Although flood waters have started receding from all areas and the rivers are now flowing below the danger levels, some people continued to remain stranded in remote areas as relief and rescue team are yet to reach them, the official added.