India, July 29 -- The Odisha government has launched a massive evacuation drive from low-lying areas as over 1 lakh people remained affected by floods, officials said on Tuesday.

Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari, after reviewing the situation this evening, said the next 24 hours remained crucial for the three north Odisha districts of Balasore, Bhadrak and Jajpur due to a rise in water levels in rivers triggered by heavy rainfall induced by a deep depression.

Over 1 lakh people were affected in Balasore, Bhadrak, Mayurbhanj and Jajpur districts, while the government has so far evacuated 23,673 people from low-lying areas, an official said.

"The next 24 hours are very crucial for the districts of Balasore, Bhadrak ...