Bhubaneswar: Thousands of people in flood ravaged villages of Orissa had a tough time today due to heavy rainfall even as state government asked officials to prepare a list of houses damaged in the calamity, official sources said.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik issued direction to the officials after reviewing progress made in relief and restoration works in worst hit Balasore district.

The government is yet to assess damage caused by the flood which has affected thousands of people in the districts of Balasore, Bhadrak, Mayurbhanj, Jajpur and Kendrapara.

Rainfall was experienced in all the five flood hit districts today, Revenue department sources said.

Patnaik had also asked the officials to clear sand cover on paddy fields to make them cultivable.

Claiming that relief had reached all the affected villages, office of the Special Relief Commissioner said relief materials were now being transported by rail and road.

A person whose pucca house was damaged in the flood would get Rs 25,000 as assistance, he said.

Source : PTI