Rayagada/Malkangiri: As heavy rains lashed southern Odisha, floods derailed normal life in Rayagada, Malkangiri, Kalahandi and Kandhamal districts.
Heavy rains triggered floods in Kalyani River and around 63 families in Rayagada have been shifted to relief camps. The BDO, Tehsildar and police have rushed to the affected areas and are providing dry food.
The boundary wall of a Kanya Ashram in Dangasil village in the Kashipur block of the district collapsed due to water logging. With heavy rains lashing the area incessantly, many people have been left stranded inside homes. The district administration is trying its best to reach out to the affected people and shift them to safe places.
Almost all of Malkangiri district have been cut off as flood waters have submerged roads and bridges. The unrelenting downpour in Kandhamal district has caused many rivers and canals to overflow wreaking havoc.
Traffic has been disrupted between Baliguda and Jharipani after a slab of the connecting bridge was damaged by floods. A similar situation was seen in Bataguda village as water from Khadag River submerged the under construction approach road.
Heavy floods in the Daikalu-Ambadola section of Rayagada-Titlagarh line have affected train operations as soil and ballast of around 100 metres of track was washed away.
The water level of Bansadhara river is on the rise and is currently flowing above the danger mark, said Bishnupada Sethi, the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC).
Talking to the media Sethi said, “In Kashinagar, the danger level is 54.6 metres and the water is flowing at the 55.75 metre mark. Till now, around 200 people have been rescued from Sara village of Kashinagar.”
Sethi added: “In Gunupur, the danger mark is 84 metres and water is flowing at over 85.10 metres. People have been shifted from low lying areas like Bissamcuttack where water is flowing over the Kutragarh Bridge. Water level has increased in the Machkund reservoir, and three of the eight gates have been opened.”
Sethi went to inform that ODRAF teams have been deployed in Malkangiri, Koraput, Nabarangpur, Rayagada and Kashinagar and fire service teams have been kept ready. The Collector of Gajapati is in constant touch with Srikakulam’s Collector.
There was no let-up in rains in Odisha and heavy downpour led to increased discharge from overflowing rivers and canals in Kandhamal district. Many villages in the district have been marooned.
According to sources, four villages in the Tumudibandha block have been completely inundated. Communication links were severely disrupted as a culvert was washed away at Bataguda-Mandalpadar. Meanwhile, water was flowing a few of feet over Dakapala dam.
Vehicular transport has been disrupted between Baliguda and Jharipani of the district after a slab of the connecting bridge was damaged in the floods.
PNN