While Orissa faces worst flood in 26 years, why is it still not a ational calamity?
25 September, New Delhi: With millions displaced and many still awaiting rescue in flood hit Orissa, the situation calls for a response at the level of a ‘national calamity’, says ActionAid. According to government reports over five million people have already been affected by floods so far across 18 districts of the eastern state of Orissa. Continuous rains caused the Mahanadi river to breach its banks, in close to a hundred places, causing the worst flooding in 26 years in Orissa state, as reported by the media. “Transport system has broken down, village roads and rail tracks remain submerged. While boats are the only means of transportation to access most affected areas, there is a clear shortage of required numbers,” reports ActionAid need assessment team which just returned from the flood affected areas, “Far flung villages are cut-off, many still awaiting rescue and relief to reach.” ActionAid team visited the flood affected districts of Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Khurda, Kendrapada
