36-year rainfall record shattered in Odisha

3 persons dead, 3 fishermen missing

Residents wade through flood waters in Bhubaneswar on July 21, 2018.

The western Odisha town of Burla received 622 mm of rainfall over 24 hours ending Sunday morning, shattering a 36-year-old rainfall record of the State as floodwaters continued to inundate many areas.

Three persons died and three fishermen were missing as torrential rain pounded many parts of the State.

The master control room at Hirakud Dam Project, Burla, recorded the highest ever rainfall received at a particular place in a single day in the State.

The average rainfall of the State recorded during the last 24 hours was 81.3 mm.

“Although we have received widespread heavy rain, there is no threat of a major flood in the State. Localised inundations have affected people. We are evacuating people to safer place and providing cooked food,” a senior officer said.

11 fishermen rescued

Eleven members of a 17-member fishermen team that had gone to sea for fishing from Kirtania Jetty in Balasore district were rescued on Saturday.

Two fishermen swam to safety on Sunday, while the body of one was traced. Three fishermen are still missing.

A woman was swept away by swirling floodwaters near Kalimati gram panchayat in Sambalpur district.