Naveen calls Vijay Bahuguna, urges rescue of Odias

Bhubaneswar: With fresh rains affecting rescue and relief operation in flood and landslide hit Uttarakhand, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday urged his counterpart in Himalayan state to help Odias trapped at different places. "Patnaik requested the Uttarakhand Chief Minister to help rescue people from Odisha still trapped in Uttarakhand," a release issued by Chief Minister's Office said.

Patnaik urged Bahuguna to ensure people from Odisha are rescued safely. While 207 persons from the state have already been rescued during last three days, around 100 more are still stuck in different terrain of the flood and landslide hit Uttarakhand. Earlier, Patnaik announced a financial assistance of Rs 5

crore for the victims of Uttarakhand. "The Chief Minister of Uttarakhand has assured Patnaik that he will take appropriate steps in this regard," the release said.

Meanwhile sources in the Special Relief Commissioner's office here said the whereabouts of about 19 persons from Odisha was still unknown. While 17 persons from one family in Sambalpur were missing, there was no trace of two people from Berhampur town in Ganjam district, they said.