Odisha cyclone Phailin: 647 vilages still stranded

“Flood situation has improved except in four blocks - Basta, Bhograi, Jaleswar and Baliapal of Balasore district and waters receded in eight other blocks,” he said, adding 647 villages in 83 panchayats still remained marooned. 

Flood water has also receded in Mayurbhanj, Bhadrak, Jajpur and Keonjhar and the government has decided to stop air dropping of food packets as all area are now approachable by motor boats, Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC), central division, Aravind Padhee said.

The RDC said about 96,000 flood affected people of Balasore district are now sheltered in relief camps. 

“Eighty per cent of people in relief camps will leave for their houses by the evening,” Padhee said.