Phulbani/Raikia: Heavy rain trigged by the cyclonic storm ‘Titli’ coupled with collapsed bridges in key junctions in Kandhamal district threw life in this tribal-dominated district out of gear Friday.
Vehicular movement came to a standstill in a couple of areas in Raikia, G. Udayagiri and Phulbani blocks. Meanwhile, the local police and administration officials cautioned motorists against using those routes.
On the other hand, water-logging in several parts compounded the woes of the locals.
In the first instance, schoolchildren of St. John’s School in Baliguda had a close shave when their school van was tangled midway after a portion of a culvert collapsed on G. Udayagiri-Lingagarh road.
The incident occurred while the van was en route to drop the students after their school. Passers-by came to the rescue of the children and the driver of the vehicle. Later, a fire tender team was pressed into service to recover the bus from the collapsed culvert.
Similarly, rain water washed away a bridge on Raikia-Simanbadi road near Murudikupudi panchayat under Raikia block, disrupting normal life. Commuters had a harrowing time due to the bridge collapse.
Communication to and from Ranaba, Indragarh and Badabarba panchayat remained cut-off due to the bridge collapse. Around 500 families were affected due to the bridge collapse. On the other hand, many agricultural fields were submerged due to heavy rains.
Many trees and electric poles were uprooted by strong winds, while many houses were damaged. Most areas remained in dark for the second consecutive day Friday due to uprooting of trees, electric department junior engineer Pabitra Sahu said.
Steps were being taken to rehabilitate people whose houses collapsed. Administration officials provided polythene sheets and necessary household items to the affected people, G. Udayagiri tehsildar Bhikari Sahu said.
“The district witnessed 126 mm of rain Thursday morning and 225 mm of rain Friday morning,” said G. Udayagiri Block development officer (BDO) Ritanjali Das, adding that the situation was under control and steps were being taken to normalise the situation.
PNN