A flood victim, who has taken shelter on NH-60 near Balasore. Telegraph picture

Balasore, Oct. 17: Thousands of people, who have been rendered homeless by Phailin-induced flood in the district, are camping on the National Highway 60.

Along with their livestock, the flood victims belonging to various age groups, castes and professions have populated one side of the four-lane highway, clutching whatever little they could rescue before the furious waters devoured their belongings.

Ram Murmu, 70, who was found squatting on the NH near Dharampur, said he and his family members, including his grandchildren, ran towards the road for cover as their houses were washed away.

“Most of our mud houses have collapsed and others badly damaged. We came to the highway, because we feel safe here for the moment. We have blocked portions of the road, so that no speeding vehicles run over us. There are many children and elderly persons in this group,” said Murmu.

He said that since the flood was unprecedented, he could hardly take along any of their possessions before leaving home in a hurry.

Some were seen crouching on the road with polythene sheets over their heads while others such as 29-year-old Ramesh Soren, a brick kiln labourer, were taking shelter under the open sky. The weekly wage earner has nothing to feed himself or his family, he is waiting for relief materials and government help to survive.

“The floodwaters washed away my house and caused extensive damage to the brick kiln unit where I used to work. I have lost my house as well my source of income,” Soren said.

He said, so far, the government distributed dry foodstuff only once. “We are surviving due to the generous help of some civilians. They have provided us some firewood, rice and potatoes to cook for ourselves,” he said.

Ramesh Singh, 27, another flood victim found on the NH, said: “We have been living under the open sky and pray to the government to distribute polythene sheets among us as it has not stopped raining in the past few days. Even though the water level has receded, we won’t be able to go back to our houses.”