Deep depression affects 37 blocks in six Odisha districts: Minister

Bhubaneswar: The deep depression has affected six districts of Odisha, with 37 blocks, 127 gram panchayats and 273 villages reporting impacts, Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said.

According to the minister, the affected districts are Koraput, Gajapati, Malkangiri, Ganjam, Nabarangpur and Rayagada. Five urban areas, covering 20 wards, have also been affected by the weather system.

As a precautionary measure, 8,082 people have been shifted to safer locations from vulnerable areas.

Malkangiri has reported water flowing over roads and bridges following heavy rainfall. In Kalahandi, fallen trees have blocked roads at two locations, while two houses have been damaged in Nabarangpur, the minister said.

The state government has also initiated steps to assess the extent of damage. Officials will be sent to five affected districts to conduct a detailed assessment of the losses, the minister added.