MALKANGIRI: Standing crops on large tracts of fields were submerged and fish ponds were washed away after Tamasa main canal at MV-17 breached its embankment late on Sunday night. The flood-like situation was noticed only in the wee hours of Monday when the villagers ventured out to work in their agricultural fields.
The 15-foot wide breach in the canal, about 41 km from Surlikonda Barrage, led to water-logging in Doriguda, Punamguda and Krushibeda villages. However, there was no loss of life. Potteru Irrigation Project Executive Engineer PK Dash rushed to the spot to take stock of the situation.
The rapidly flowing water had submerged many agricultural fields, including the standing ground nut crop and fish ponds.
Dash said some of the villagers heard rumbling sounds in the midnight and by the time they could realise and act several areas were flooded. “We are working on a war-footing and would plug the breach in about four days. A total of about 6,000 hectares of agriculture land has been affected due to the breach,” he informed.