Asika, Oct 30: Heavy rainfall triggered by Cyclone Arnab has severely affected Asika town in Ganjam district, leaving large parts of the area submerged. Thousands of people have been stranded in floodwaters since yesterday.

On Thursday, floodwaters reportedly reached nearly 12 feet in several parts of the town. Although the situation has improved slightly today, water levels of around 6 to 7 feet continue to affect several areas.

Rescue and relief operations are underway on a war footing. Eight teams have been deployed to evacuate stranded residents and provide cooked meals and dry food to flood-affected families.

Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), and the local Fire Services are working continuously to rescue people trapped in the affected areas.

Meanwhile, several villages under Asika Block, along with parts of Asika town, continue to remain inundated. The cyclone and subsequent flooding have also caused extensive damage to agriculture, affecting paddy fields as well as vegetable crops.

Despite a slight improvement in the situation, challenges remain as several areas are still cut off by floodwaters and rescue operations continue.