Sonepur: Loss of green cover, dry riverbeds of Mahanadi and Tel, and radiation from the sand beds have added fuel to the intense heatwave condition prevailing in Subranapur district, as per a report. Reports said Titilagarh town in neighbouring Bolangir district was once dubbed as ‘Tatalagarh’ a few years back because of the intense heatwave prevailing in the town during summer. However, Sonepur town, the district headquarters, has replaced Titilagarh recently with a maximum temperature crossing over 40 degree Celsius. The sharp rise in mercury in Sonepur town as well as in the entire district despite being in proximity to rivers has sparked concern among environmentalists. The maximum temperature recorded at Sonepur was 44.3 degrees Celsius Sunday.
Similarly, the maximum temperature recorded in the town was 44.6 degrees Celsius June 8, 44.8 degrees Celsius June 9 and 44.5 degree Celsius June 10. The heatwave has intensified to such an extent that it has become unbearable for the residents. Meanwhile, the spurt in temperature in the district which does not have any industries has raised a few eyebrows. Things have come to such a pass that people fear stepping out after 10 am and prefer to stay home. While there is no respite from the heatwave, the low voltage problem, undeclared power cut and drinking water problems have multiplied the woes of the residents.
Environmentalists alleged that rapid destruction in forest cover (even on the riverbanks), dying Mahanadi, Tel and other rivers; soil erosion, construction of concrete roads and mushrooming brick kilns are some of the reasons behind the sudden increase in temperatures in the district. They claimed that as the rivers are accumulating silt, sand and stones in dried-up rivers are radiating heat which is contributing to the searing heat. They said that the district should have 33 per cent of forest cover according to its size.
However, the forest cover in the district stands at only 18 per cent. The state government and the Centre are spending crores every year on plantation drives and forest protection programmes but they are only in pen and paper. Though forests are being destroyed to pave the way for new human settlements, the Forest Department has failed to check the obliteration of greenery. Several pucca houses and concrete roads have been built after Subarnapur was carved out of Bolangir as a new district. The rise in forest fires is also contributing to the sweltering heat. The heat and smoke arising out of the wildfire spreads towards human settlements and heats up the atmosphere. The local intelligentsia and environmentalists said that the residents can get respite from the heatwave if the construction of the Khairamal and Godhaneswar barrages takes place on the Mahanadi River.