Orissa flood situation improves

The flood situation in Orissa improved a little on Saturday as rain ceased,though seven more deaths were reported from Ganjam and Jagatsinghpur districts. Major rivers like Rusikulya,Ghodahada and Budhabalanga were flowing below the danger mark.

Special Relief Commissioner P K Mohapatra said over 16.5 lakh people in 10 districts were affected by the floods in Orissa,while about 2.29 lakh were evacuated. India Meteorological Department expects heavy rainfall over the next 48 hours over Koraput,Malkangiri,Rayagada and Gajapati districts.

CM Naveen Patnaik said cooked food will be distributed in the flood-hit districts in the next three days. He also announced a special package for the aged,widows and destitute pensioners in the 13 districts affected by the cyclone and floods. Pension holders in these districts will get a months additional pension of Rs 300 in November.