BHAWANIPATNA: Incessant rains for the last three days that led to rise in the water level of Hati, Sagada, Nagavali, Indravati and Petfulla rivers have triggered flash floods in Thuamul Rampur, Jaipatna, Kalampur and Bhawanipatna blocks of Kalahandi district.
With the rivers and other rivulets in spate, flood water has entered several parts of the four blocks. Thuamul Rampur, which received a record rainfall of 260 mm, has been cut off from the rest of the district. Similarly, 126 mm rainfall has been recorded at Kalampur during the last 24 hours while 110 mm was registered at Jaipatna. Thuamul Rampur is the origin place of Nagavali, Sagada and Indravati rivers.
Vehicular movement has been disrupted in Thuamul Rampur block as flood water is flowing on major roads and Sagada bridge near Jakam and Phurli Jharan bridge. As a result, road communication has been snapped between Thuamul Rampur and Bhawanipatna. Similarly, the road from Kalampur to Thuamul Rampur via Singari Ghat and Thuamul Rampur-Kasipur Road via Mahulpatna remained cut off. According to reports, five feet high water was flowing in Kumarkani nullah while Nagavali river had crossed the danger mark at Gunpur and Nakrundi. Sagada river is also in spate near Jakam.
According to sources, Santosh Bag, husband of Panchayat Samiti member of Thuamul Rampur block Sumani Bag, of Chulvadi village in Talampada GP, died while rescuing people affected by landslide. The rescue team and the block officials are yet to reach the affected areas due to disruption of communication.
In Junagarh block, the old bridge over river Hati on NH-26 was submerged under two feet water. Power generation of Indravati project has been stopped to prevent further damage by flood in Hati river.
Flood water of Hati has entered low-lying areas of Matikhal, Karmel and Balichada villages of Kalampur block and Kuten of Junagarh block. Knee-deep water is flowing on the roads leading to the block headquarters due to heavy rain on Sunday. At least 15 persons from Matikhal village have been shifted to safer place at Biripur after flood water entered their areas.
In Bhawanipatna, rain water was flowing on the roads after the drains got choked disrupting normal life. Jaleswar temple, situated on the bank of Pipal nullah, has been submerged in the flood water.