This Article is From Aug 11, 2014

45 Dead Even as Odisha Flood Waters Start Receding

45 Dead Even as Odisha Flood Waters Start Receding

Swollen Baitarani river erodes its embankment at Dashrathpur village in Jajpur district.

Jagatsinghpur, Odisha: 45 people have died so far in the month-long Odisha flood that has affected 23 of the state's 30 districts.

Flood waters have now slowly started receding in most areas, but for the 50 odd families who have taken shelter on high ground in the district's Tirtola block, returning isn't an option.

For instance, Sushmita Singh, who has two young children, returned from her village this morning, a worried woman. "My hut has been completely destroyed. It will take us a month to return," she says.

Sushmita is also worried that the Odisha government may stop the relief work in the next few days. Distribution of relief work has already been very slow, she claims. Her family got very little rice, and that too only once in the last week. Though medicines have been supplied by the government, other essential items like candles and match sticks haven't been distributed yet.

However, the government said it is supplying rice flakes, jaggery and cattle and will distribute essentials to every flood affected person soon.

Although, the rains have stopped in some parts and the Meteorological Department hasn't predicted further heavy rain, the flooding is still intense in some parts of the state.

Rebuilding lives is likely to take longer than expected. 
.