Bhubaneswar, July 29: Three people were reportedly killed and more than two lakh people in six districts in Odisha have been affected by floods as incessant rain due to low pressure system across much of the State has worsened the situation.

“More than two lakh people in 44 blocks in six districts have been affected by the floods. As many as 226 villages have been inundated in flood waters. Three casualties have been reported in Keonjhar district. Leaves of all Government officials have been cancelled in the affected districts,” said Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari.

Around 30,000 people have been evacuated to relief centres and cooked food is being provided to them, said Pujari adding that people have started returning to their homes in Balasore district.

Around 60 teams of fire service personnel have been deployed for rescue and relief operations in the affected areas.

On Mahanadi river system, Pujari said that excess water is being released through two gates of Hirakud dam.

“Now, water level at Hirakud dam stands at 600 ft. Nine lakh cusec flood waters will be released once the water level will touch 620 ft,” said Pujari.

He also said that rain has started in lower catchment areas of Mahanadi.

Meanwhile, the Odisha Government has deputed three senior IAS officers to Balasore, Bhadrak and Jajpur to strengthen flood preparedness and oversee relief and restoration measures as the situation in north Odisha remains critical due to major floods in Baitarani, Salandi and Jalaka rievrs.

While Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC) Managing Director Sudhansu Mohan Samal has been deputed to Bhadrak, Odisha State Civil Supplies Corporation (OSCS) Managing Director K. Sudarshan Chakravarthy has been deputed to Balasore, and Excise Commissioner P. Anvesha Reddy has been assigned Jajpur district.