JEYPORE: Flood water of Ulta Jahanra river, a tributary of Indravati, entered several villages of Kotpad block, affecting normal life on Wednesday. As many as 5000 people have been cut off from the mainland with knee-deep water flowing in the villages.
As per reports, water level of Ulta Jahanra rose after heavy rains in Indravati catchment areas last night. As a result, flood water entered Guali, Gurandi, Damanahandi, Surli, Smutipadar, Sadranga and Munja villages of Kotpad. Road communication to these villages from block headquarters has been snapped while many villagers have taken shelter in different schools and panchayat offices.
High alert has been sounded in Kotpad anticipating flood water of Indravati and its tributary in about 22 villages in six panchayats any time as rains continue to lash the catchment areas. The district administration has sent relief materials to some marooned villages besides setting up 24-hour flood control rooms and deployment of ODRAF teams with boats at sensitive points.
Kotpad MLA Chandra Sekhar Majhi visited flood affected areas and reviewed relief and rescue operation in Kotpad on the day.
Koraput Collector Anupam Saha has directed officials of Kotpad to keep a close watch on the flood situation in the wake of flash flood in neighbouring Kosagumuda block of Nabarangpur district.
The rainfall recorded in the district during the last 24 hours has been low.
Flood scene improving in Nabarangpur
Nabarangpur: With rain stopping from Wednesday afternoon, flood situation is improving in the district. While communication has been restored in most of the affected areas, only two villages - Gundriguda and Ghatbasuli - remain cut off from the mainland. Earlier, 2,200 persons were evacuated from 20 villages under Nabarangpur, Kosagumuda and Chandahandi blocks. They are residing in shelter houses and will be sent back to their respective villages on Thursday.Collector Rashmita Panda along with RDC T Opang visited several affected villages in Kosagumuda to take stock of the situation and review the ongoing relief and rescue operation. Sources said water level in Indravati river water is receding.
Heavy rain continues in Umerkote
Umerkote: A flood-like situation has arisen in several villages of Umerkote block due to heavy rain for the fourth consecutive day. Vehicular movement has been affected from Dabugaon to Umerkote and Umerkote to Raighar as flood water is flowing above roads. Due to the rains, Tohora and Bhaskel rivers are in spate. Five villages of Ravanaguda, Jamdhodi, Sindhimari, Jampara and Punardhodi have been cut off from the headquarters after Tohora bridge was completely washed away by flood water. Besides, more than 20 thatched houses collapsed due to heavy rain. Sources said the absence of Revenue officials in Umerkote has hit relief operations. Water level in Bhaskel and Tohora will rise further if the rain continues.