The death toll due to the floods in Odisha rose to 45, though already around 32.9 lakh people have been affected. However, the water levels have started going down and might show significant improvement if there are no heavy showers.

Media reports quoted Deputy Relief Commissioner Prabhat Ranjan Mohapatra saying that water levels have dropped in all rivers significantly, including the Mahandi river. However, more than 4.8 lakh people in over 460 villages were still left marooned in the delta region of Mahanadi river system, while many areas were still submerged by flood water of Baitarani river, he said.

Though rainfall has not stopped, government officials believe that the flood will not be worsened due to it, PTI reported. Rains are expected to continue in the state for the next 24 hours.

The number of people affected by the flood mounted to over 32.9 lakh from around 28.58 lakh estimated on Sunday, the SRC office told PTI. Also the number of villages affected could stand at 5,313 spread over 23 districts in the state.

The highest number of casualties occurred in Bargarh district, followed by Mayurbhanj district, though deaths are reported in Bhadrak and Sambalpur, as well mainly caused by drowning in swirling waters and wall collapses.

"The government has said that it is doing its best to handle the crisis with 40 teams from both state and national disaster response forces dispatched to affected areas. Free kitchens at 200-odd places coupled by over 100 medical teams and 365 boats to help those affected by the floods are part of the government's rehabilitation plans," Zee News reported.