BhubaneswarSevere floods triggered by incessant rainfall and swelling rivers claimed at least three lives and affected over two lakh people across several districts of Odisha, Revenue and Disaster Management (R&DM) Minister Suresh Pujari said on Wednesday. As of the afternoon, 44 blocks, 243 Gram Panchayats and 748 villages had been affected in these districts. The Government also initiated assessment of damaged houses, and assistance to affected families was being processed as per the prescribed norms. All district administrations were directed to remain fully prepared, with rescue teams, emergency equipment, and relief materials kept ready. To strengthen disaster response, 17 NDRF and ODRAF teams and about 60 Fire Services teams were strategically deployed across vulnerable locations.