Bhubaneswar: Heavy rains and the resultant floods in Orissa has so far affected a population of over 14.5 lakh in 10 districts across the state while rain-related incidents had so far claimed 11 lives, according to latest official reports.

The worst-hit in the calamity, triggered by a depression over the Bay of Bengal, was Ganjam district where a population of about 2.5 lakh in 233 villages under 15 blocks and two civic bodies had been severely hit, official sources said on October 8.

Though the Rushikulya river was flowing well above its danger mark at Purushottampur, it was maintaining a declining trend to the relief of the district authorities.

The sources said six deaths had occurred in Ganjam district while three casualties were reported earlier from Kendrapara district. One person died following wall collapse in Cuttack district.

In a tragic incident, a naib sarpanch in Gosani block of Gajapati district was swept away while he was leading a team of rescuers, the sources said.

Revenue Minister Biswabhushan Harichandan said as per latest reports, a population of 14.5 lakh in 3,334 villages in 522 panchayats under 65 blocks of 10 districts and 19 civic bodies had been affected by the floods and heavy rains.

Harichandan, however, pointed out that while the rivers in the South including Rushikulya, Vansadhara, Badanadi and Ghodahada had been receding, the major rivers of North Orissa - Budhabalanga, Subarnarekha and Baitarani - were rising.

PTI