Odisha residents return home after flood water recedes

Bhubaneswar, Aug 6 (IANS) About 2,000 people who were taken to safer places a day ago due to overflowing of Hati river in Odisha's Kalahandi district returned home Monday as the flood water receded, an official said.

The people evacuated have returned to their home as the water has receded, Special Relief Commissioner P.K. Mohapatra told reporters.

The residents of about five villages located in the low-lying area were housed in a nearby school building, after the river flowed about four feet above a bridge at Junagarh town, about 450 km from here. Vehicular traffic was also disrupted on National Highway-26 (NH-26) from Bhawanipatna to Junagarh.

Vehicular traffic on NH-26 has been restored, said Mohapatra.

Due to low pressure area formed over northwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining areas of north Odisha and West Bengal, heavy rainfall has occurred in some parts of the state during the last three days.

More rain has been forecast in the state during the next two days.