Rayagada/Malkangir/Bhawanipatna: The flood situation in southern Odisha has improved. Water levels have begun to recede in all areas, reports said.
Floods had affected parts of Koraput, Kandhamal, Malkangiri, Kalahandi, Gajapati, Nabarangpur and Rayagada Wednesday wreaking havoc on rail tracks, roads and farmlands. However, with rains having subsided, water levels in all major rivers have fallen.
Sixteen villages of Lanjigarh block in Kalahandi district were marooned while seven villages in Thauamula Rampur block were cut off.
The water in river Hati has been receding with rainfall diminishing Thursday. However, people in Matikhal, Giripur, Karmeli and Balichhada panicked after water was released from Indrawati reservoir Thursday.
The administration has been assessing the flood-affected areas of Kalahandi. Thousands of hectares of farmlands were flooded in Bankapala, Depur, Balichhada, Ichhapur, Kalampur, Biripur, Matikhal, Jampada, Pandagan, Tentulikhunti, Paruaguda, Haramal, Temara and Bandhakna villages in the district.
ODRAF teams along with health and fire services personnel were pressed into service in the affected districts. People evacuated from low-lying areas are being provided food at free kitchens.
Steps for disinfection and water treatment are underway. An average rainfall of 100 mm was registered in five districts – Jharsuguda (207.2 mm), Kalahandi (150.7 mm), Bolangir (117.2 mm), Jajpur (115.4 mm) and Koraput (110.6 mm) – Thursday. Two blocks in Kalahandi recorded rainfall of 300 mm – Th.Rampur (312 mm) and Kalrlamunda (309.2mm).
Nine blocks recorded rainfall between 200 mm and 300 mm and 53 blocks between 100 mm and 200 mm.
The water level in Vamsadhara at Gunupur has receded to 83.09 metres (below danger level) at 9 am Thursday. At Kashinagar, the water rose to 56.30 metres against the danger level of 54.60 metres.
All other rivers in the state are flowing below danger level. According to office of the Special Relief Commissioner, the situation in the southern districts are as follows:
Koraput: Transport has been affected as the approach road connecting Lima and Asana of Kundra block has been cut off due to water flow. The Tehsildar has taken stock of the situation and the police and fire services are on alert.
Kandhamal: 130 persons in Tumudibandh and Kotagada (56) blocks have been evacuated. Two persons are missing and are feared to have been swept away.
Malkangiri: No adverse situation has been reported. About 2172 persons have been evacuated to 24 shelters. Free kitchens have been opened.
Kalahandi: Four teams have been deployed to assess the situation in Th. Rampur block. 164 persons from eight villages have been evacuated to safety. Free kitchen has been arranged for the evacuees and medical teams are visiting the camps.
Gajapati: The water level in Vansadhara is receding and all concerned officers are taking stock of the situation.
Nabarangpur: Rainfall continued in several villages Thursday as relief and restoration of uprooted electric poles were taken up.
Meanwhile, two gates of the Indravati Reservoir have been opened. Evacuation has been taken up in Sanodaibhatta and Badodaibhatta villages.
PNN