With no rains for the past two days, flood situation is improving in Nayagarh. And with water level receding, the extent of damage is now coming to the fore. ADM Fakir Mohan Nayak said a population of 35,213 in 75 villages under five blocks have been affected by the flood.
About 3,600 hectares of crop lands are still under water and 250 ha have been sand cast. Nayagarh, Nuagaon and Khandapada blocks bore the maximum brunt of the heavy downpour. Dahuka river breached its embankments at five points and Lunijhara river at four points.
Free kitchens have been opened by the district administration in nine villages for 2,306 persons of Nuagaon block for three days. Around 335 quintals of rice, 205 quintals of flattened rice, 20 quintals of jaggery and 4,000 water pouches have been provided to 28,000 people in flood-hit blocks.
Emergency office sources said 350 houses have been completely damaged and 250 partially damaged in Nuagaon block.
Incessant rains since Friday night had played havoc in the district. On Saturday noon, water was flowing over the Bodapada bridge near here disrupting vehicular traffic to Khandapada. Officials said a 50 m breach had occurred in the right embankment of Kusumi river near Jagannath Prasad. Gushing water destroyed crops in 500 hectares of land in Kadira and Kuahara villages under Jagannath Prasad gram panchayat.