Not long after the fury of Cyclone Phailin left a trail of destruction in its path, India's eastern Odisha state and southern Andhra Pradesh state were now dealing with swirling floods waters that had damaged crops and displaced many. Life was thrown out of gear as the rainwater entered the homes of the villagers and damaged essential household items including furniture and utensils. In Ganjam district of eastern Odisha state rising water levels spread panic amongst residents as they resorted to moving to higher ground. The flash floods soon engulfed trucks and rescue officials used ropes and buoys to save some who were caught in the floods. "In Ganjam many areas are submerged, we have placed into service three helicopters for rescue operations. Nine people who were stranded on tree and also on brick lanes, they have been rescued at 1:30 am in the night during a dramatic operation by the NDRF," said special relief commissioner, Ganjam, P. K. Mohapatra. Thousands of people were left stranded by floods triggered by the powerful cyclone, which pounded the east coast, moved inland, bringing heavy rains and hindering rescue and relief operations. Cyclone Phailin, India's fiercest storm in 14 years, smashed into the coastline of Odisha on Saturday (October 12), inundating large swathes of farmland, ripping apart mud-and-thatch homes and disrupting power and telecoms services. Officials also confirmed the death of four people in Jagatsinghpur district in Odisha, while six more were feared dead in Ganjam due to these floods. "Things should look up and it will clear up by evening. We have got reports of six deaths in Ganjam, yet to be confirmed, but four deaths from Jagatsinghpur district, which are confirmed. So right now our operation is to see that everybody who is required to be rescued is rescued," Mohapatra added. Heavy downpours, which pushed up the volume of the water in many rivers, continued to lash Srikakulam district in Andhra Pradesh for the last few days. "There is water everywhere. Mango and pepper crops are completely damaged," said a farmer, Mukesh Rao. Even as Phailin weakened while moving across the country from the Bay of Bengal, its incessant rains caused major rivers and tributaries to overflow, submerging villages and stranding thousands of people. Many areas were inaccessible by road, forcing emergency teams to use boats to rescue people and deliver relief supplies. Helicopters dropped dry food packets to marooned survivors, many of whom had taken refuge from six-feet-deep water on the rooftops of buildings. India's disaster preparedness has improved dramatically in recent years, and aid workers praised precautions taken by authorities for Phailin such as early warning, pre-positioning of rations in shelters and orderly evacuations.

• published: 26 Oct 2013
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