Bhubaneswar:
The toll in Odisha flood today mounted to nine with recovery of five more bodies after water level receded in many places and people started to return to their houses from relief camps.
According to the latest report from the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) office, four persons were killed in Bargarh district followed by two in Khurda district and one each in Bhadrak, Jajpur and Mayurbhanj districts.
"Bodies of three persons were recovered from a car which was swept away in flood waters in Bargarh district," an official at the SRC office said, adding nine districts have been hit by the floods triggered by the recent heavy downpour.
A total of 91,434 people have been affected in Jajpur district, followed by 56,900 persons in Bhadrak district and paddy cultivation has been damaged in all the districts, a statement from the SRC office said.
Free kitchens at shelter centres for people evacuated from low lying areas have been opened in the affected district, it said.
"Free kitchens provided food to 340 people in Solampur village UGME School under Bhandaripokhari Block and at Mathadiha High School and Sathibankuda ME School under Chandabali Block in two shelters of Bhadrak district," the statement said.
A team of NDRF consisting of 42 personnel have been deployed in Dhamnagar Block in Bhadrak district, it said adding, 23,847 persons were evacuated in Jajpur district and accommodated in 36 relief camps.
"Water level in all rivers is receding," said SRC P K Mohapatra.