Bhubaneswar: Torrential rains over the past two days have severed road connectivity and marooned many low-lying areas in southern parts of the state. The situation is likely to get worse with unabated rains and rising levels of water in these districts.
The condition is especially bad in Ganjam, Malkangiri, Rayagada and Kandhamal districts. The rivers and rivulets in these districts are flowing above danger mark submerging nearby agricultural fields and snapping communication channels. There have been no reports of loss of live as yet.
In Ganjam, Collector Vijay Amruta Kulange Wednesday declared closure of all government and private schools along with anganwadi centres. The teachers, however, have been asked to report to duty and help the administration in facilitating relief.
According to reports, in Kandhamal, flash flood washed away a portion of the river bridge connecting Baliguda and Jharipani near Sirila village. Further, a bridge in Tumudibandh block also collapsed disrupting road communication. Flood water has also submerged several bridges at Korkonda, Kankarkonda and MV 37 snapping communication in Malkangiri district.
Same is the case in Rayagada, where thousands of acres of farmlands have been inundated and hundreds of people are struggling with rising levels of water.
Besides, train services on Rayagada-Titilagarh route has also been hit since the railway track near Ambodala station got washed away in a flash flood. Six passenger and two express trains have been cancelled while five express trains were diverted because of this. Water flows above a bridge near Hatamuniguda on Malisiripur-Paridiguda road. A road near Khamasingi in Kolnara block and a canal bridge near Jugapadar also collapsed in Rayagada district disrupting communication.
Meanwhile, water level is already above the danger mark and continues to rise in Bansadhara near Gunupur area of Rayagada district. Nagabali is also in a spate, locals said.