The homeless flood victims of Basta block in Balasore. Telegraph picture

Balasore, Oct. 17: Floodwaters, which have inundated several areas of the district after Phailin hit the state, are receding. But what continues to worry the residents is the absence of adequate government support in their time of crisis.

Those living in flood-hit areas such as Basta, Baliapal, Jaleswar and Bhograi blocks still remain cut-off and have accused the district administration of doing little to meet their requirement. They said whatever relief material they have received, so far, was too little and came too late. They also alleged that no one from the local administration has visited them. Most of the residents have lost all their property, including houses, to the cyclone.

The Telegraph found that even after four days of Phailin making landfall at Gopalpur, roads and paddy fields remained submerged. The only silver lining is that the swelling rivers have begun to abate.

Road connection between Basta and Baliapal, however, remains severed at two points – near Gandhi Chhak and near Khalamuhani. The two areas suffered a double blow after water from Jalaka and Subarnarekha gushed in.

The flash flood has also paralysed emergency health services in these areas. At present, it is difficult for anyone to visit the community health centre at Basta or the government-run Idco hospital at Baliapal.

The worst affected are pregnant women.

“A woman from Mukulsi, who was in labour, lost her baby as she couldn’t be taken to hospital on time,” said Debendra Nayak, 52, of Chhachina village in Basta block. Sources said in another case, a man, who consumed poison, couldn’t be saved either.

Several villages under gram panchayats of Balanga, Ikkadpal, Bishnupur, Sankhua, Bhutidia, Gadapada and Rautpada are cut off from the main land.

“There are at least 50 villages which are still marooned. They are awaiting government help. All claims made by the district administration are false. People are virtually starving since the last four days. The administration was ill-prepared about the disaster and now ill-informed about the affected areas,” said Ramakanta Panda of Pratappur village.

Upendra Maharana, 48, a resident of Mukulsi village, said: “If relief material can be air dropped in Balasore sadar and Remuna, why not in Basta and Baliapal?”

Sukanta Mandal, 30, an autorickshaw driver, has no one to ferry in the wake of the flash floods. “I am sitting idle, while people continue to suffer. The government has utterly failed to tackle the situation,” he said.