Bhubaneswar: Flood situation in cyclone-hit Ganjam and Gajapati districts improved on Saturday with water receding and rivers showing declining trend.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi directed officials to intensify relief and restoration works in nine southern districts affected by very severe cyclone Arnab. Ganjam and Gajapati were worst-hit, with over 1.5 lakh people affected in Ganjam and 30,000 in Gajapati.
Ganjam Collector V Keerthi Vasan said 56,051 people have been shifted to 367 safe shelters and cooked food is being served at 370 places.Around 700 people are still stranded in waterlogged pockets. Airdropping of food to marooned villages was done by Indian Navy and Coast Guard helicopters. Food stock for next 15-20 days has been ensured, he said.
Number of marooned villages dropped from 70 on Thursday to 21 on Friday and 3 on Saturday. Schools in Ganjam will remain closed till November 3 due to waterlogging, Collector said.
Transport Minister B B Jena said NH-16 connecting Kolkata-Chennai is now operational after Bahuda river water receded. Train services on the route have also normalised.
