Khunta: Thousands of people found themselves cut-off from the rest of the world after an old bridge across Gangahar river collapsed in Khunta block of Mayurbhanj district Wednesday owing to incessant rain.
Communication to three panchayats – Badapheni, Badapathara and Bahanada— got disrupted on Khunta-Baripada highway; the only lifeline for the people in these three panchayats.
A health worker, Tapas Kumar Behera, was on the bridge on his way to attend an immunisation programme at the time of incident. Behera along with his motorcycle fell into the river. He was later rescued with help of a rope.
Badapheni sarpanch Srinibas Nayak said the officials of the rural development department were contacted for repair of the bridge. The department will make temporary arrangement to facilitate communication, he added.