Khandapara: Thousands of saplings planted alongside the Mahanadi river have been submerged in water due to the incessant rain and flood.
More than 20, 000 saplings which were planted in villages such as Bada Banapur, Karabar, Talmarada and Padmavati by Khandapara forest department in Nayagarh district have been submerged.
Besides, some saplings have been washed away in the flood water, said Khandapara forest officer Shreedhara Panda.
The saplings planted in 60 acres under the Bhapur forest range have also been damaged.
The saplings planted at Banapur and Kantilo too suffered similar problems. “We took great pains in planting these saplings,” said forester Srinibas Mohapatra.