Odisha Update:
3 bodies have been found in Bargarh district, Odisha. The bodies were in a car that was swept away in flood waters on Monday 21 July 2014. It is thought the driver was attempting to cross a bridge over the swollen Uttali river. There is also thought to have been a fourth passenger, although authorites are yet to recover a body.
The recovery of the 3 bodies brings the death toll of the recnet floods in Odisha to 6.
Original Report from 23 July 2014
Monsoon rain has brought deadly floods the central and eastern parts of India over the last few days, killing at least 5 people with 2 still missing.
Two deaths occurred in the state of Chhattisgarh, where around 300 villages have been flooded. Three people died in flooding in the neighbouring state of Odisha after rivers overflowed.
Chhattisgarh
Two days of heavy rain in the state of Chhattisgarh has left over 300 villages under water. Over 350mm of rain fell in just 48 hours, bringing the July total to 422.5mm. Further rainfall has been forecast for the state.
The worst affected districts are Gariyaband, Mahasamund, Kanker and Bastar. Two people have died as a result of the flooding, one in Mahasamund and another in Kanker where the Kotri river overflowed. Other rivers, including Sodur, Pari, Jonk, Tale, Indravati and Doodh have also burst their banks.
Odisha
Local media reports claim around 200 villages have suffered from flooding in the state of Odisha over the last few days, affecting over 50,000 people. Four days of heavy monsoon rain between 18 and 22 July 2014 increased rivers to danger levels and many have burst their banks. Jharsuguda saw 103mm of rain in 24 hours on 21 July. The worst affected areas are the districts of Jajpur, Keonjhar, Kalahandi and Bhadrak.
Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) and National Disaster Response Force have evacuated 15,000 people from the districts of Jaipur, Keonjhar and Bhadrak. Three people died in the floods, and another 2 are still missing in Kaptipada in Mayurbhanj district.
The most recent indications are that flood water in some areas has started to recede. Earlier today Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) said that levels of major rivers including Mahanadi, Kushabhadra, Baitarani, Budhabalang, Subarnarekha and Vansdhara were now below danger level. Levels of the Devi, Brahmani, Subarnarekha, Vansadhara and Rusikulya rivers are still above flood stage however.
Monsoon and Cyclone Floods in Odisha
The unfortunate location of Odisha leaves it vulnerable to floods from both tidal and river floods. The states coastal regions are regularly hit by cyclones and storm surges. The state’s rivers frequently overflow after heavy monsoon rainfall either in the state itself or further upriver.
Odisha suffered flooding from the fall out of cyclone Phailin in October last year when heavy rain caused the Baitarani, Budha Balanga and Subernarekha rivers to overflow. Earlier in the year, heavy monsoon rainfall had resulted in floods which affected around 250,000 people, mostly in the northern parts Odisha. Three people were reported as killed in flood related events.
