As flash floods wreaked havoc in Kalahandi and four southern districts, the State Government on Friday asked the collectors to carry out a damage assessment survey. Heavy downpour caused serious disruption to road communication and damage to standing crops in Koraput, Rayagada, Ganjam, Gajapati and Kalahandi districts.
Heavy showers in catchments of Hati saw the river overflowing the bridge at Junagarh. Flood water was flowing at least three feet above the bridge on Friday evening disrupting traffic along NH 201. Three villages __ Biripur, Balichhada and Matikai __ under Kalampur block, have been cut off by flash floods, the Special Relief Commissioner’s Office said.
Bansadhara also crossed the danger level at Kashinagar in Gajapati district and was flowing at 54.90 m __ above the danger level __ last night, but showed a receding trend on Friday morning. The danger level and warning level of Bansadhara at Kashinagar stand at 54.60 m and 53.60 m respectively.
The heavy rains led to disruption of communication from Boriguma in Koraput district to Nabarangpur as storm water swept away the road near Puruli. It was restored on Friday. There were also reports of disruption of more roads in Kalahandi, Koraput and Gajapati districts. The State Government said a decline in the intensity of rainfall has led to gradual improvement in the situation and NH-201 was expected to be restored by midnight.
The flash floods and deluge caused heavy damage to ripe paddy crops of late summer variety which were in the process of harvest in different blocks of Koraput district. There were also reports of damage to other crops and houses due to heavy rainfall. The Government asked Collectors of the affected districts to take immediate steps for assessment of the damage and enumeration of the affected people for providing assistance from the State Disaster Response Fund.
A well marked low pressure area triggered heavy showers in the five districts during the last two days. Thuamul Rampur in Kalahandi recorded over 660 mm rainfall during the last 48 hours followed by Jayapatna, which received over 400 mm rain. Similarly, Kalampur block recorded 400 mm while Junagarh received 350 mm showers. The average rainfall in Nabarangpur, Koraput and Rayagada districts in the last 48 hours was estimated at 314 mm, 267 mm and 200 mm respectively.
The India Meteorological department said the intensity of rain will drop in the next 48 hours providing some relief, but possibility of another cyclonic circulation around June 18-19 could trigger more rains in the State.
