Bhubaneswar: With several Odisha rivers flowing above danger marks due to incessant downpour, the state government has stepped up rescue operations evacuating 17,000 people even as 23 people have died so far in rain and flood-related incidents.

"While several rivers are in spate, the situation in Jajpur and Bhadrak districts is a matter of concern now as river Baitarani is rising alarmingly flooding many areas," Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) P K Mohapatra said.