ATHAGARH: The unprecedented flood in river Mahanadi claimed four lives in Athagarh sub-division. Reports said Punei Behera (60) of village Gadadharpur, Lipan Rout (9) of village Gopalprasad, Bhatar Bhanja (52) of village Anantapur and Jagan Swain (13) of village Nuagarh died in the flood. One hundred eighty six villages in four blocks have been affected by the flood. As many as 94,000 people of 94 villages were marooned while 80,000 domestic animals were affected. The rescue and relief operation has been taken up with the help of 57 country boats and eight motor boats under the direct supervision of sub-collector Rajesh Pravakar Patil. As many as 15,515 persons were rescued and given shelter in 48 relief camps. Cooked food have been provided to flood victims in these relief camps. Some voluntary organisations, political parties, industrial houses and charitable organisations are also distributing relief among the marooned people. Health department sources said 23 medical teams and two mobile medicare units with 22 doctors and 108 health workers have been deployed in affected areas. The teams have been provided with sufficient medicines, ORS packets, halazone tablets and bleaching powder. All the 520 wells and 919 tube-wells in the affected areas have been disinfected making the water fit for human consumption. With the floodwaters receding, administration has turned its attention towards assessment of damage and reconstruction works. Initial reports said 8232 dwelling houses and crops in 15,181 hectare have been affected. There were eight breaches on river embankments and public roads in three places were cut off.