BERHAMPUR: Continuous rainfall over the past two days caused widespread disruption and damage across Ganjam with several areas of the district reporting landslides, road blockages, house collapse and the threat of flooding.
On Wednesday, a large boulder fell on Tadakasahi-Ankuli road near Chariabada village, disrupting traffic in Patrapur block. A landslide in Purushottampur block also affected vehicular movement. Reports of uprooted trees blocking roads and damaging houses were also received from Dharakote, Khalikote, Aska and Kabisuryanagar blocks.
Amid the persistent downpour, heavy runoff from the hills submerged the road near Taptapani while an elderly man was injured after tree branch fell on him near Binayak Acharya College in Berhampur.
With the depression over the Bay of Bengal intensifying and rainfall gradually increasing, the district administration has stepped up monitoring, particularly in vulnerable pockets. In Dharakote block, villagers of the remote Saba and Balarampur panchayats, which face the risk of landslides, were evacuated to the local schools as a precautionary measure.
Sources said communication to Nuagaon, Badapur, Karatali, Belapada and Khandipada villages has been disrupted after floodwater washed away the temporary approach road to an under-construction bridge over Nandini river.
The rising Rushikulya river has also emerged as a concern for Singipur and several other panchayats in Dharakote. With the river level steadily rising, floodwater could enter agricultural fields through a culvert meant to drain excess water into the river. If rainfall intensifies on Wednesday night, officials apprehend waterlogging and flooding in Singipur, Baradabili, Jahada, Jagamohan, Mundamarai, Sardhapur, Dhaungaon and Gola Damodarpalli panchayats.
Dharakote tehsildar Lambodar Marandi said the administration is keeping a close watch on the situation and has made necessary preparations to deal with any emergency.
Similar was the situation in Gajapati district which also reported landslides, road blockages and damage to houses due to heavy rainfall. In R Udayagiri block, a landslide blocked the road connecting Bastriguda panchayat. Connectivity to Pariveta and nearby areas was also cut off due to another landslide. Bastriguda, Rugesing and Badua were among the areas affected by the landslide.
Acting on the direction of Gajapati collector Akshay Sunil Agarwal, R Udayagiri BDO Lariman Kharsel reached the spot and supervised the removal of debris from the roads. Sources said several other parts of the district witnessed uprooting of trees and damage to houses due to the incessant rain.
Meanwhile, continuous rain for the past two days has pushed up water levels in Mahendratanaya river and several streams and nullahs across the district. Officials said the district administration is closely monitoring the vulnerable areas.