People walk through a waterlogged road in Cuttack. Picture by Badrika Nath Das Sunil Patnaik

Berhampur, Oct. 27: The flood situation in Ganjam district today turned grim once again following continuous rain in the upper catchment areas of the rivers in the region since last night.

Many villages are still marooned and the district administration is yet to provide relief materials to the affected people or rescue them.

Rushikulya river breached the danger level at Aska and Purushottampur this afternoon. Water of the Badanadi was also rising steadily at Aska. Vansadhara river was flowing close to danger mark at Kasinagar and Gunupur.

The outbreak of water-borne diseases are being reported from various parts of the district.

“One Sudhir Nayak of Mantridi has died from diarrhoea,” said additional district medical officer (public health) Lalit Mohan Rath, adding that three more diarrhoea patients had been admitted to MKCG Medical College and Hospital.

Another 17 people have been affected with diarrhoea at Kharida village in Hinjili block. “We have sent a medical team to the village,” said Rath.

Several villages in the district, including a few inPurushottampur block, are still marooned. “Antarigaon panchayat is the worst affected in this block,” said Chhatrapur additional sub-collector Sudhakar Sabar, who is supervising relief and rescue operation there.

Raulabandha, Pandia, Bhimpur, Achuli, Handighar, K.N. Pur, Ranajhali, Kesapur, Ch. Nuagaon, Tanka Chai, Solaghar, Sunathar, Gothiali, Chadhiapalli, Sama, Aladigaon and Balia are still cut off from the rest of the world.

“We have been spending sleepless days at the Chadhiapalli Primary School, which has become our shelter since October 11. I do not know when the floodwater will recede and we will return home,” said Mami Dora, 22.

Chadhiapalli village under Purushottampur block in Ganjam district has been under four feet of water since October 12. “Five distressed families are taking shelter in the school building,” said Abhimanyu Ray, the school headmaster who is taking care of the affected families.