Bhubaneswar: Constant rain has triggered a flood-like situation in parts of Odisha on Tuesday (August 13), while the formation of two back-to-back low-lying areas has claimed at least eight lives in the last fortnight, a senior official said.

Train services were affected in parts of west Odisha as the water was flowing over the tracks in some places due to torrential rain in Boudh, Bolangir, Kalahandi, Kandhamal and Sonepur districts.

With more rainfall likely to occur for the next three days due to the formation of a low-lying area over the Bay of Bengal, the district administrations have been asked to be prepared to deal with the possible flood.

Speaking to reporters, Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) BP Sethi said, "Eight casualties have been reported from districts such as Nabarangpur, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Koraput and Malkangiri in the last 15 days due to rain-related incidents."

"As heavy downpour battered the state for the last two days, several low-lying areas in districts including Boudh, Bolangir, Kalahandi, Kandhamal and Sonepur were submerged disrupting road connectivity," he added.

In Boudh district, Deogaon, Kamaghat and Gambaripadar villages were marooned after water from River Tel and Khadanga inundated low-lying areas.

The road link between Rubaliguda and Kantamal was snapped with high water levels on a considerable stretch of NH-41.

The situation was grim in Bolangir district too following submergence of several bridges and roads, and gushing water from River Khadanga entering Dharuapada and Tilakamala villages under Gudbhela block.

Many parts of Kandhamal district were severely affected when a temporary culvert was washed away near Bataguda, snapping road communication with Kalahandi and Rayagada districts, they said.

The SRC said that Karlamunda in Kalahandi recorded a maximum of 608 mm rainfall since Monday, inundating several areas.

While some people have been evacuated from the flooded areas in Kalahandi and Bolangir districts, an NDRF team was kept ready for rescue and relief operation in Malkangiri, if necessary, he said.