Airdropping of food stops Friday

BHUBANESWAR: With fast receding flood water making way for road accessibility, the Government decided to stop airdropping of food packets from Friday. Free kitchens have been stopped in some districts on Thursday while it continued in Jajpur and Kendrapara districts only.  The death toll in the current floods has increased to 40 from 38 with two more  casualties reported from Angul and Bhadrak. The Angul person was missing from Monday. However, one person each is reportedly missing from Kendrapara and Mayurbhanj. Four helicopters were pressed into service for airdropping of food packets in jajpur and Kendrapara districts on Thursday. “Since water has receded from most of the areas and transportation of food materials by road will be economical, the airdropping will be stopped,” Special Relief Commissioner PK Mohapatra said. However, reports from Jajpur and Kendrapara said many villages are still encircled by flood water and it will take another couple of days for the roads to be cleared.  The Government has decided to provide ` 25,000 to each of the affected blocks for clearance of debris and sanitation of block headquarters.  The Health Department has pressed 20 medical, veterinary and sanitation teams in Kendrapra and Jajpur districts. The Chief Minister, who reviewed the flood situation, directed the Health Department to assign the job of supervision of health services in the flood-affected areas. He further directed the Energy Department to ensure speedy restoration of power supply in the flood-hit areas.