Severe flooding in the Indian state of Orissa forced about 193,000 people from their homes and killed more than two dozen others, officials confirmed Thursday. Heavy monsoon rains over the past week caused rivers to overflow and swamp 19 of Orissa’s 30 districts. The state’s special relief commissioner, P.K. Mohapatra, tells CNN that water levels are now receding.
"The situation is now limping back to normal. Many of the displaced people have gone back to their homes," he said.
Disaster Management Minister Surya Narayan Patra said at least 26 people died in the floods. Twelve others are missing.
Relief centers are now being set up to distribute supplies to those affected. Helicopters are being used to drop off supplies in areas where people are trapped by flood water.
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