Tuesday, August 22 2006 15:26 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Bhubaneswar: Torrential rains, triggered by low pressure over the north Bay of Bengal, lashed the eastern state of Orissa, multiplying its woes.

The state, which has seven major rivers, has been battling flood conditions for over two months. The government has asked for Rs.750 million in aid from the central government.

"Over 300,000 people have been affected by the floods. A major portion of cultivable land is submerged," a senior state revenue department official said Tuesday.

"The Bansadhara river in Kashinagar in Ganjam district is flowing above the danger mark (53.60 m). The levels in other rivers have not touched the danger mark yet," Parsuram Das, assistant engineer at the state flood control room, told IANS.

"The inflow of water to the Hirakud dam was 1,80,000 cusec Monday evening which shot up to 2,74,000 cusec Tuesday morning," he said.

Four of the 15 gates of the Hirakud dam opened to release water were shut down Monday night to lessen the impact in low-lying areas.

"Low pressure may cause more rains in the next 24 hours," S.N. Roy of the Bhubaneswar meteorological department told sources.

The state government is seeking a Rs.750 million aid from the Central government, state Revenue Minister Manmohan Samal here said. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik who toured some of the floods-hit southern districts will visit the worse-affected Balasore district Tuesday.

At least 10 people were killed in two rounds of floods the state witnessed in July. The third round has killed 14 people so far, said an officer on special duty in the revenue control room, D.N. Sahu.