India, July 30 -- Flood-related deaths in Odisha rose to eight on Thursday as relentless rainfall triggered by a slow-moving weather system continued to inundate hundreds of villages, forcing the closure of schools in four districts while authorities intensified rescue and relief operations across the state.

Five of the deaths were reported from Keonjhar district, including a fire services personnel who was electrocuted while on duty. One person each died in Dhenkanal, Deogarh and Sambalpur districts in separate flood-related incidents, including wall collapses, officials said.

More than 4,00,000 people have been affected by the floods so far in the state, according to the government's status report at 9am on Thursday.

Authorities dire...