Is there a way out of Orissa’s dilemma?

Orissa’s socio-economic environment represents an oxymoron of poverty amid riches. Among the states, it languishes near the bottom of the Human Development Index table and per capita income rankings. Almost half of rural Orissa is in the Below Poverty Level league. Due to poor productivity arising from primitive practices, agricultural GDP is growing at just around one per cent per annum. It is a food insecure state with 57 per cent of the population suffering from chronic energy deficiency. About 48 per cent of the women suffer from nutritional deficiency and 72 per cent of children are afflicted with some degree of anaemia. This is a state that has an abundance of mineral resources. It possesses 33 per cent of the country’s iron ore deposits, 25 per cent of the coal, 60 per cent of aluminium ore, 98 per cent of chromium ore, 67 per cent of manganese ore, 92 per cent of nickel ore, 71 per cent of graphite, 31 per cent of China clay, 18 per cent of dolomite, 25 per cent of fireclay, 65 per cent of pyrophillite and 30 per cent of mineral sands.This is a cornucopia that could propel the state to the front ranks of industrial production — particularly iron and steel, alumina and aluminium, ferro-alloys and power. Judiciously exploited, these mineral resources can yield an income for the state, which, if properly distributed, can raise the per capita income several fold and wipe out the abysmal poverty in the countryside.Orissa also has many of the basic resources needed to make it a tourist destination. With a forest cover of over 30 per cent of the land area, the state has 18 wildlife sanctuaries and four national parks that have tremendous potential for eco-tourism. On top of this, the historical heritage, stretching back to two millennia, has dotted the countryside with magnificent ancient monuments like the Konarak temple. Couple these with dance forms like Odissi and Chaau, and you have an irresistible tourist magnet.The state remains dirt poor despite all these resources. Its GDP growth rate is half the national average. So, what gives? There are a number of factors, but primarily it has been due to poor leadership. Barring Biju Patnaik, who personally initiated efforts to realise the state’s industrial potential, Orissa has been ill-served by its political masters in the past four decades. Their vision has stopped at personal gain, leaving the state bereft of basic infrastructure, the resources untapped and the bulk of the population scrambling for existence.Tribals in the state, who form 24 per cent of the population, whose main habitat is the remote forested and contiguous regions, are the hardest hit by this lack of development. This deprivation has alienated them from the government and led to the infiltration of Maoists into their habitats.A recent government white paper concedes that 14 of the 30 districts are affected by the Naxal insurgency. Ironically, these are the districts where most of the mineral resources are concentrated, thereby creating a big hurdle for tapping them. As of now, the state has no clue on how to tackle the Red menace. The police are too ill-equipped and ill-trained. Last year, there were 56 Maoist attacks in which 74 security personnel were killed.Yet another factor frustrating potential investors is the slow pace of land acquisition. More than five years have passed since the state received investment proposals totalling over Rs five lakh crore. Most of these remain stalled, as the land has still not been acquired.There was a time, back in the ’50s and early ’60s, when the government could easily acquire large tracts of land for projects like the Rourkela steel plant. The population then was much less and the people were not so aggressive about their rights. Today, not only has the population trebled but the multiplication of family members has led to fragmentation of holdings, making acquisition that much more difficult.There has also been a quiet intrusion of activists, some associated with Maoists, who have marshalled land owners, particularly in the tribal belts, into refusing to let go of their land. Thanks to these activists, even the offer of good relief and rehabilitation measures, on top of handsome compensation, which promises a way out of their penury, does not tempt the farmers to sell their lands.Even in cases where the state government has completed the acquisition process, it is not able to get the land vacated. The government treads on eggshells as far as this goes since the use of force has led to ugly incidents in which locals have died in police firing. Unable to find a way out, the state is now planning to relinquish the acquisition process to private entrepreneurs themselves.The same problem of land acquisition along with inordinate delays in statutory clearances, is holding up crucial infrastructure projects such as roads, bridges, dams, ports, etc. This is why Orissa has one of the lowest proportion of PPP projects in the country for developing its infrastructure. Because of poor connectivity, exploiting its tourism potential remains a distant dream for the state. The facilities at the Bhubaneswar airport are a throwback to the Sixties. The bus network is primitive.Is there a way out of Orissa’s dilemma? Yes, but it will require courageous leadership which will not hesitate to fan out to the boondocks and win back the confidence of the people by attending to their welfare problems effectively. Some of the industrial projects where the government has confidence in the reputation and sincerity of the promoters in implementing all R&R conditions should be helped by way of interfacing with the landowners so that the land acquisition process is facilitated. A special team needs to be set up within the higher bureaucracy to focus on smoothening the way for infrastructure projects. And, of course, there is a need to create a special anti-Naxal security force, like neighbouring Andhra Pradesh has done, to tackle the military might of the militants, while their political influence is countered by attending to the welfare of the tribals.
nnsachi@yahoo.com

Source: http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?Title=Is+there+a+way+out+of+Orissa%E2%80%99s+dilemma?&artid=7myeByL0rR4=&SectionID=XVSZ2Fy6Gzo=&MainSectionID=XVSZ2Fy6Gzo=&SectionName=m3GntEw72ik=

Orissa tribal buys company shares to protest project

A long standing environment battle between an Indian corporate and Orissa tribals is now being carried to the streets of London.

An agitating tribal has come up with a unique strategy. He has bought a share in the company to appeal to the shareholders to not cut down acres of rich tropical forest in his state.

Sitaram Kuliski of the Dongria Kondh tribe, who lives on the foothills of the Niyamgiri mountains in Orissa, is protesting Vedanta Resources' proposed bauxite mining project in the Niyamgiri mountains.

Sitaram Kuliski says, “Thousands of my brothers and sisters have sent me here to appeal to Vedanta. I have come to ask shareholders and others help us to stop mining at Niyamgiri and to save our community from being destroyed.”

Environmentalists say the mine will destroy the area's ecosystem and threaten the future of the 8,000 strong Kondh tribe, for whom the Niyamgiri is 'sacred'.

Celebrity activist Bianca Jagger and singer Nitin Sawhney too have lent their support to the tribals cause.

Activist, Bianca Jagger says, “I firmly believe it’s important that corporations adhere to social and ethical values. We shareholders can make them understand that their projects should not endanger lives of indigenous people and not go against the environment and not contribute to climate change.”

On its part, Vedanta says it's bringing development to a backward region.

CEO, Vedanta Resources, M S Mehta says, “People are with us. They want this project to come up. They want this, for heath conditions. We don't see opposition.”

Vedanta says it has complied with the 32 conditions of the Supreme Court. In addition, its has also deposited crores of rupees with the Orissa government for compensatory forestry and peripheral development. The company is awaiting stage 2 forest clearance and plans to start mining as soon as possible. But one consent it may never get is that of the local tribals who have brought their protest from home to London.

96 die in Orissa Maoist attacks in 2008

Nearly 74 police personnel along with 22 civilians died in Naxal attacks in 2008. This is mentioned in the White Paper of the Home department. The Maoists executed at least 57 offensives at different places in 2008, the white paper informed.

It also read out that police arrested 120 Naxal cadres and recovered 785 weapons from their possession. “The state government also took a number of anti-Maoist measures. The state filled up the vacancies in police department and raised the strength of SOG jawans,” the white paper informed.

Meanwhile the red debate dominated the proceedings at Lok Sabha with the BJD members demanding enhanced budgetary allocation for tackling Maoist menace in Naxal-infested Orissa.

“The Centre would extend full cooperation to Orissa to tackle Maoist violence. The state has been demanding CRPF, Rs 20 cr for intelligence uplift and around Rs 100 cr for development. But the Centre is yet to come to the aid of the state in effective manner,” BJD MP Kalikesh Singhdeo said.

But Congress MP Bhakta Das batted for the Congress-led UPA at Centre saying that Orissa government ‘failed to utilize’ the resources given by Centre in the past. “The Centre has been extending financial aid to the state for tackling Maoist menace. But the state has failed to unitize it. It also failed to bring development in terms of health, education and transport in Naxal-hit regions forcing youths to join the Naxalite groups,” Das alleged.

They Are Our representatives

Making foreign tour with the govt money is not surprising in India and in Orissa as well. As they are representatives ,they are simply spending the combined share of all the people of Orissa, so representing us .

Surya, Prafulla most expensive Ministers of Orissa

After BJP’s Manmohan Samal, BJD’s Surya Narayan Patro and Prafulla Ghadai, have became the most expensive Ministers of poor State like Orissa. Samal during his term of office as Revenue and Disaster Management Minister, had maximum foreign tour while Patro who toured Thailand, London and USA during the 2005 and 2006, had incurred the maximum expenditure of Rs 5,22,024.

Interestingly, Finance Minister Ghadai, who is brother-in-laws of BJP leader Samal, stood behind Patro in terms of expenditure.

At least eight former and present ministers of the Orissa Government have toured foreign countries during the last nine years incurring an expenditure of Rs 20.33 lakhs.

Ghadhei, who visited Australia and Singapore during May this year , has spent Rs 4, 25,939.

Former Minister Golak Bihari Nayak had visited Malaysia and Thailand and spent Rs 60,925, the lowest among the Ministers

The other Ministers who went on foreign tours when in office were former Ministers B B Harichandan who visited Zurich, Geneva, London and Vienna at a cost of Rs2, 63,477, Surendra Nath Nayak spent Rs1,13,199 travelling to Israel, Egypt, South Africa, Jayanaryan Mishra incurred Rs 2,38,340 on his abroad tour of London, Paris and Geneva, Padmanav Behera spent Rs 2,12,478 for visiting Tehran.

Present Higher Education Minister Debi Prasad Mishra who visited Indonesia, Italy and France during 2007 and 2008 while holding the tourism ministry incurred an expenditure of Rs 1,97,140, Mohanty said..

Look.....How our Tax Money they (MPs) Spends !!!!

The people to whom we say our representatives are spending the Govt money which we pay in tax in foreign tour ,when half of the people of the state are not able to get two bare meals to eat. It is conformed when one hear that eight former and present ministers of the Orissa government have toured foreign countries during the last nine years incurring an expenditure of Rs 20.33 lakhs.

Replying to a joint question of Dushmant Naik, Nihar Ranjan Mahananda and Yogesh Kumar Singh in the Orissa Assembly, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Raghunath Mohanty said State Revenue Minister Suryanarayan Patro who toured Thailand, London and USA during the 2005 and 2006, had incurred the maximum expenditure of Rs 5,22,024.

He is followed by Finance Minister P C Ghadhei who visited Australia and Singapore during May this year and spending Rs 4,25,939. Former Minister Golak Bihari Nayak had visited Malaysia and Thailand and spent Rs 60,925, the lowest among the Ministers The other ministers who went on foreign tours when in office were former Ministers B B Harichandan who visited Zurich, Geneva, London and Vienna at a cost of Rs2,63,477, Surendra Nath Nayak spent Rs1,13,199 travelling to Israel, Egypt, South Africa, Jayanaryan Mishra incurred Rs 2,38,340 on his abroad tour of London, Paris and Geneva, Padmanav Behera spent Rs 2,12,478 for visiting Tehran.

Present Higher Education Minister Debi Prasad Mishra who visited Indonesia, Italy and France during 2007 and 2008 while holding the tourism ministry incurred an expenditure of Rs 1,97,140, Mohanty said.

Naveen hits out outlawed CPI (Maoists)

Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has came down heavily on the outlawed CPI (Maoists), which is spreading mayhem in the State in the recent days.

Patnaik, replying to an adjournment motion on increasing Maoist activities in the Orissa Legislative Assembly (OLA), made it clear that the ultras are anti-nationals and have no scrupulous.

For the first time the Chief Minister used harshest words against the ultras during his 9-years rule, said a senior official.

Speaking extempore, Patnaik said that the State has already suffered a lot and it will not spare these anti-nationals to take over the administration.

He gave a clarion call to the members of the various political parties in the House to rise above political lines to fight out Maoist menace.

Chief Minister said that he has no respect for the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), which is not supporting the State Government with enough funds.

Though repeatedly, the State is asking for a dedicated chopper for fighting the Maoists, MHA is yet to favor with the same.

He was seen angry with MHA over the issue of withdrawal of 5 companies of CRPF from Kandhamal, where more than 3000 people are in relief camps.

Chief Minister disclosed that 59 Maoists have been captured, 8 ultras have been killed and 6 have surrendered before Orissa Police.

He said that more ultras are on surrender mode and the State’s Surrender Policy is facilitating them in this regard.

Lawmakers from the Maoist hit areas preferred to remain silent.

Not a single MLA from the worst-hit Maoist zones participated in the adjournment, while lawmakers from other areas discussed the issue at length, said a senior scribe reporting for a television channel.

Speaking on anonymity, a senior lawmaker of a Maoist hit area said that if they will open mouth against the ultras, they will not be able to move inside their respective Assembly segments, admitted he.

However MLAs from other areas participating in the debate urged the State Government to curb rising Maoist violence in the State.

Stray snake halts proceedings in Orissa state assembly

A stray snake brought parliament to a standstill for several hours on Thursday in Orissa, officials said.

A cleaner spotted the intruder, believed to be a king cobra, while sweeping in the morning and called the assembly's watchman.

The speaker of the assembly in the state capital Bhubaneswar adjourned the house as security personnel, wildlife officials and a member of a local snake helpline searched unsuccessfully for the creature with the help of a sniffer dog.

Snakes are straying more frequently into built-up areas because construction has driven the reptiles out of their habitat, wildlife expert Biswajit Mohanty said.

Centre to blame for mushrooming Naxalism

The state government on Tuesday launched a broadside at the Centre for not cooperating with the state in tackling Naxalism that has assumed alarming proportion in the state.

“Naxalism is a national menace. Union Home Minister P Chidambaram has indicated that the Central government in the past has neglected the Naxal problems,” Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said during an adjournment motion in the house on Tuesday. “But the state is tackling the situation,” Naveen said.

Notably, the state has been demanding at least 7 battalions of CRPF to tackle Maoist menace in the state, but to no avail. Similarly the state felt let down when it got a meager Rs 26 cr to handle upgrade police system as against Rs 67 cr and Rs 38 cr received by Andhra Pradesh and Jharkhand states, respectively. The state also got only Rs 13.56 cr in SRE Yojna.

Naveen’s reaction came after the Opposition MLAs took on the state government for failing to combat the rising left wing extremism in the state. The Opposition legislators said that the atmosphere is not even conducive for the police to breathe easy. The Opposition MLAs alleged that the killing of cops in the hands of Maoists exposed the ineptness of the government in handling Maoist violence. The Congress MLAs even claimed that the Centre has been fully cooperative to the state in this regard.

“So far the state has been able to raise only one IR battalion,” Prasad Harichandan, the Congress chief whip said.

BJP MLA Jayanarayan Mishra said that both the Centre and State should make a concerted effort to fight Naxalism.

Central tiger census method under scanner

The State and Centre are at loggerheads over the dwindling number of triggers in Similipal, as found in a Central-sponsored census. The state has raised doubt over the authenticity of the census conducted through camera tapping in Similipal Tiger Reserve recently.

As per the Central census 2008, total 20 tigers were present in Similipal. This came in stark contrast with the state census done through pugmark of tigers which put the figure at 61 in Similipal. In 2006, around 101 tigers were present in Similipal.

“The camera tapping is under scanner. We don’t believe in the Centre’s camera tapping method,” Lala Aswini Kumar Singh, the senior research office of Forest and Environment department.

Stating that the new technique is elusive, Singh said that ‘the Centre had been adhering to the pugmark method for last 34 years’. “The census through camera tapping may be okay for research. But it cannot be tested for counting of the tigers,” he told.

Of the total 3824 sq km Similipal, around 2297 sq km fell under the test of the Centre’s camera tapping method, sources said. The census found that total 45 tigers were present in Orissa. Besides the 20 in Similipal, the Central team found 9 tigers in Sunabeda and 6 in Satakosia.

“How can someone count the exact number of tigers by covering only few portions of the vast STR area,” asked an animal rights activist.

IIT Bhubaneswar classes begin in Orissa

Classes of IIT-Bhubaneswar began in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday. The students are taught at the Kharagpur Extension Center building in the capital city.

Construction of the permanent campus of IIT-Bhubaneswar would be completed on a sprawling 935 acre at Kansapada in Jatni by 2011. So, until the new campus is set up, the classes would continue at the extension center for two to three years.

IIT-Bhubaneswar was established in 2008. Around 250 students of three streams, civil, mechanical and electrical, are currently studying in IIT-Bhubaneswar.

The authorities in Bhubaneswar have made temporary accommodation facilities for students in the city due to unavailability of hostel in the Kharagpur Extension Center.

Flood fear grips State, CM reviews situation

Severe deluge loomed large in the lower catchment areas of Mahanadi river after torrential rains lashed the regions since past few days. Major rivers, including Mahanadi are on spate forcing Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik convene review meeting with state officials on Monday.

Sources said that around 9, 50,000 cusecs of floodwaters would pass through Naraj on Tuesday. If it happens, a large number of areas in Cuttack, Puri, Jagatsinghpur and Jajpur are feared to be submerged. Keeping in view the possibility of a major flood in lower Mahanadi basin, the government on Monday raised a flood alert in the state.

The concerned district collectors of the coastal areas have been asked to remain alert to the flood situation. “A warning has been issued and the district collectors of Cuttack, Puri, Jagatsinghpur and others have been alerted,” Suryanarayan Patro, revenue and disaster management minister said.

The state water resource department is closely monitoring things at the vulnerable points where at least 29 breaches occurred on embankments at lower Mahanadi basin. 40 lakh sand bags have been kept ready as a precautionary measure. “Usually when the water level at Naraj reaches 11,00,000 cusecs, there would be a major flood in the region. Moreover, as tomorrow (Tuesday) is new moon day, it will be difficult for the floodwaters to enter the sea. Similarly, there is a threat to Balasore, where the deep depression is likely to cross tonight,” Patro added.

After reviewing the possible flood threat, Naveen directed the district administration of Balasore to tackle flood related challenges. Moreover, the administration has been asked for the closure of all schools on Tuesday and Wednesday. “We have reviewed the situation and the authorities have been asked to keep stocks of food items, medicines, drinking water pouches, halogen tablets and other relief materials,” the chief minister said.

Naveen also reviewed flood scenario in Bhanjanagar and Jagannathprasad in Gajapati, Narsighpur in Cuttack, Bolangir and Kalahandi.

Kalahandi is poorly treated during Congress ruling at the center
To
Mr. Rahul Gandhi, General Secretary, Indian National Congress Party

Copy to:
Dr. Manmohan Singh, Honorable Prime Minister of India,
Ms. Sonia Gandhi, President of Indian National Congress Party,
Mr. Ghulam Navi Azad, Congress Leader in Charge of Orissa and Union Minister of Health
Mr. Kapil Sibal, Union Minister of Human Resource Development
Mr. Kamal Nath, Union Minister of Highways and Surface Transport
Ms. Mamata Benarjee, Union Minister of Railway
Top Congress leaders and office bearers of Indian National Congress Party
Chief Minister of Orissa

Dear Mr. Gandhi,
In a matter of fact since the time of Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, Kalahandi has been close to Gandhi family. Incidentally, you commenced Bharat Darshan Yatra from Nuapada under Kalahandi Lok Sabha constituency in 2008 and you admitted personally close bonding between Kalahandi and Gandhi family in an election rally in 2009.

But contradicting your claim Kalahandi has been always poorly treated by congress party in post independence congress regime. The present UPA Government claims to bring all round development in backward and rural pockets of India but such development is missing in Kalahandi.

Unfortunately, we did not find any statistics where any central Government establishment was made in Kalahandi when the Government was headed by congress party in the center since 1947. In this period Congress party has ruled India for 50 years and since 1980 the party has been ruling at the Centre for 20 years in different time periods.

Central government has earlier established HAL factory, NALCO factory and recently a Central University in Koraput district from public funds. An ordinance factory was also established in Balangir district. Titilagarh – Jharsuguda, Khordha – Balangir, Rayagada – Koraput and Koraput – Vishakhapatna are some of the railway lines approved in post independence congress periods, unfortunately not a single railway line was approved in Kalahandi district during post independence congress ruling except Lanjigarh road – Junagarh railway line during non-congress Government in 1990-91. Even NH201 passing through Bargarh, Balangir, Kalahandi, Nabarangpur and Koraput districts were approved during non-congress Government in the center, it is to be noted that both the projects, Lanjigarh road – Junagarh railway line and NH201 are moving sluggishly.

There is a public demand for establishing a Central University in Kalahandi since 1988 because it is centrally located among all the KBK districts and had better rail connectivity to most of the major cities of India from Kesinga station. But Orissa state and central Government again decided to establish it at Koraput keeping political sights.

We request you to establish as soon as possible a branch of Indira Gandhi National Tribal University in Kalahandi with a medical college attached to it as this backward pocket lacks secondary and tertiary health facilities. For secondary and tertiary health facilities people in Kalahandi has to depend on either Vishkhapatnam about 350 – 450 km or Burla about 250 – 350 km based on the location in Kalahandi district.

Kalahandi has higher unemployment rate and more migrant workers at present. A railway factory in Kalahandi like being established in Rai Barailey, West Bengal, Kerala, or Bihar would be helpful for whole Kalahandi.

Recent report by India Today suggested that both Kalahandi, and Nabarangpur are rated among the bottom five constituencies in socio-economic/infrastructure development among all constituencies in India. Proposed Kantabanji (Balangir dist) – Jeypur (Koraput dist) line via Nuapada, Kalahandi and Nabarangpur districts and immediate approval of a high laying bridge over Hati river on NH201 near Junagarh and improving road conditions of NH201 in Kalahandi, Balangir and Nabarangpur will bring development in the region.

There is already a growing concern in Western Orissa and KBK region that the congress party has ignored the region in the union cabinet as the region has elected 5 congress MPs out of total 7 seats.

We sincerely hope your party and Government will correct the past mistake and take a strong initiative for establishing Indira Gandhi National Tribal University with medical college and railway factory in Kalahandi besides approving Kantabanji – Jeypur railway line and bridge over Hati river on NH201 as soon as possible.

Thank you

With kind regards

Digambara Patra


--
Digambara Patra, Ph.D
Assistant Professor
Department of Chemistry
American University of Beirut
Beirut, Lebanon
Email: digpatra@yahoo.com

Source: Orissalive

Sun Temple disconnected from inland

With Orissa Government and Archeological Survey of India under the Union Ministry of Culture, turning deaf ears, the world famous heritage site, rain water playing havoc in the premises of India’s Black Pagoda, the famous Sun Temple in Konarka city, close to holy city of Jagannath Puri.

The site was knee deep in water on Monday following torrential rains triggered by low pressure, threatening the structure and inconveniencing tourists.

Visitors to the Sun Temple had to wade through two to three feet deep water which had accumulated around the historic site following heavy downpour.

While a large number of tourists returned without having a proper look at the world famous monument since yesterday, some of the visitors waded through the water to view the temple.

Locals pointed out that water-logging at the Sun Temple has been a regular feature for the last couple of years. Whenever it rains heavily for long, the problem crops up as there is no proper outlet, locals said.

A local activist said water-logging could damage the temple. ASI has built a soak pit and when excess water accumulates, it is pumped out.

He said prolonged water-logging, which is an acute problem on the northern side of the 13th century monument, is likely to have an adverse impact on the structure.

"Though plans are afoot to put in place a proper drainage system around the Sun Temple but no concrete measure has been taken", he said.

The historical monument has been in news recently with reports of dislocation of some stones from the structure, sparking apprehension about its preservation.

Following this, Orissa government had last month asked a joint committee comprising representatives of ASI, district administration of Puri and state culture department to verify the matter and submit a report.

Heavy rains pound Orissa; Death toll over 30

Eight more persons died on Sunday taking the toll to 36 as heavy rains lashed Orissa with a low pressure over Bay of Bengal triggering floods in several parts.

While two persons were swept away by Rana river in Banki area of Cuttack district, two others including a woman were killed in lightning in Kendrapada district, official sources said.

A girl was killed in Kabisuryanagar of Ganjam district when a tree fell on her during rain and storm, they said.

Three person- an infant and two women- were killed when a wall of their mud house collapsed in the heavy rain at Sarumuhana in Sundargarh district, police said.

Mahanadi, Bansadhara, Rushikulya and Hati rivers inundated many areas and disrupted road communication in Sambalpur, Balangir, Gajapati, Ganjam and Kalahandi districts, the sources said.

Heavy rains pounded Ganjam, Gajapati, Nayagarh, Khurda, Cuttack, Kendrapara and Puri districts since last night inundating vast low lying areas and throwing life out of gear, they said.

Normal life was thrown out of gear in many areas of western Orissa including Balangir, Bargarh, Sambalpur and Sonepur due to heavy rains since last night which inundated low lying areas, the official sources said.

In Balangir town, most roads were under two to three feet water and the National Highway at Dharmagarh in Kalahandi district also remained submerged.

Power supply was also disrupted in most parts of western Orissa as heavy rains continued to wreak havoc.

In Ganjam district of south Orissa, road link between Bhanjanagar-Belaguntha and Bhanjanagar-Daspalla was disrupted as Badanadi river submerged the road at Nuagaon.

Inflow of water Hirakud reservoir on Mahanadi river was recorded at 150,794 cusecs and outflow 124,719 cusecs, the revenue control room officials said.

The rainfall recorded at Krushnaprasad since last night was 28 cm, while it was 26 cm at Khandapada, 19 cm at Puri, 17 cm at Narsinghpur and 16 cm at Daspalla, met office sources said.

As a well-marked low pressure area was formed over north-west Bay of Bengal, the Met office predicted heavy to very heavy rain at a few places and extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places in the next two days.