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Divers searching for bodies of victims who drowned when a boat capsized on Saturday in the Baitarani river near Jajpur had recovered 22 up to Monday afternoon, officials said.
However, they fear the toll may go up to 40. The boat is believed to have been ferrying 70 persons when it hit a sand bank throwing the passengers into the swollen water.
About 25 persons managed to reach the shore by swimming or with the help of local villagers.
The police, fire brigade, Orissa Special Armed Police, Rapid Action Force personnel and naval divers are involved in relief operations, an official told rediff.com.
The district collector and the superintendent of police are camping at the spot, he added.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and some ministers visited the site on Sunday. Patnaik ordered the revenue divisional commissioner to probe into administrative lapses, if any, a source said.
He also ordered introduction of mechanised boats in the river and construction of a bridge across the river, he said.
The Orissa government has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 50,000 each to the families of the deceased.
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