Sakhigopal: Ratnachira river, considered to be the lifeline of hundreds of villages in Satyabadi block, has become polluted after severe cyclonic storm Fani hit Puri district May 3.
According to sources, around 15,000 people of Kadua, Jayapur, Penthapada, Biraramachandrapur, Mulaalasi and Sriramchandrapur depend on the river for daily chores. However, the colour of the river water has turned black and emanates a foul stench.
“Several dead fishes are also seen floating in the river, proving the fact that the river water has become extremely polluted. People are unable to use the river water post Fani. Sandwiched between water woes and scorching heat, life in riparian villages has become miserable,” said a local.
The hyacinth and the fallen green trash of the uprooted and broken trees in the river have increased the water pollution manifold.
People are facing difficulties as water of most of the tube-wells has turned saline. The storm has left many other tube-wells dysfunctional. Supply of piped water has become a distant dream as restoration of electricity in these areas has not been possible.
Individual households, who had been lifting water from bore wells through pumps, are facing a harrowing time.
Meanwhile, locals have urged the administration to take steps to clean the river, detoxify its water and release water in a canal in the locality to ameliorate the situation.