Khuntia seeks central relief

BHUBANESWAR: After visiting flood-hit areas in Jajpur district on Friday, Congress Rajya Sabha Member Rama Chandra Khuntia said several villages are marooned in the district. This time the flood is worse than that in 1999. He said the Government lacked sufficient boats which was hampering the relief operations. In an incident, two pregnant women, going to a hospital for check-up, were stranded for hours due to worsening flood situation. Khuntia has appealed to the Centre for immediate release of relief materials for flood victims and livestock for 15 days.  The INTUC leader also urged AICC to impress upon Centre to release sufficient relief for the people who suffer due to repeated floods in Mahanadi, Bramhani and Baitarani rivers.