India, Nov. 11 -- Odisha Chief Secretary Anu Garg on Wednesday said unprecedented rainfall for three consecutive days was responsible for the recent floods in Ganjam district. She also rejected allegations of lapses in flood management.

The official's statement assumes significance as BJD president and former chief minister Naveen Patnaik has described the floods as a "manmade crisis".Follow Politics

Addressing a press conference, Garg said Ganjam witnessed exceptionally heavy rainfall, with Patrapur recording 546 mm of rain in a single day. She said the rainfall was the highest recorded in the area since 1990 and 2013.

The heavy downpour over three consecutive days made the situation particularly challenging, she said, adding that da...