New Delhi: Disaster management columns of the Indian Army have been moved from Ranchi and Gwalior to carry out relief and rescue operations in the flood-affected districts of Orissa.

Official sources on September 1 said the columns, comprising 450 personnel equipped with boats and life jackets, would provide succour in the worst-hit districts of Cuttack, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghapur, Khurda, Puri and Jajpur.

Army reinforcements were sought as the flood situation in the Mahanadi system worsened on August 31 with the swirling waters causing more breaches inundating new areas.

PTI