As rain continued to lash southern Odisha for fifth day on Friday, the district administrations of Koraput and Nabarangpur have declared flood alert.
Koraput received a record 10 cm of rainfall in the last 24 hours, the highest in the State, while Jeypore sub-division registered over 40 cm rainfall in the past five days. The region has been cut off from other parts of the State.
Road communication to neighbouring districts of Nabarangpur, Malkangiri, Kalahandi, Rayagada and Ganjam has come to a halt as flood water is flowing over the bridges on Koraput-Rayagada, Jeypore-Nabarangpur and Jeypore-Boipariguda roads. Even the culverts of NH near Borrigumma have been completely submerged.
Hundreds of passengers are stuck in Koraput, Jeypore, Malkangiri and Nabarangpur bus stands while several light and heavy vehicles are stranded on NH and SHs. Though rain was mild on Friday, major rivers - Surli, Indiravati, Saptadhara, Bansadhara, Nagavali, Seberi and Silleru are flowing above the danger mark.
The rail communication from Koraput to Bhubaneswar and Rourkela has also been affected due to landslide near Valumaska near Kashipur. Hirakhand and Samaleswari Express trains have been halted in Koraput and the service would be resumed only after the tracks are cleared.
In the last decade, it is for the first time that such heavy rainfall has been recorded before June 15 in Koraput.
Flash Flood in Kalahandi
Bhawanipatna: Torrential rain continued in Kalahandi for third consecutive day on Friday. Due to heavy rain in the catchment areas, flash flood was reported in river Hati.
Sources said in the last 24 hours, 356 mm of rainfall was recorded at Thuamul Rampur, 198 mm at Jaipatna, 165 mm at Koksara, 153 mm at Kalampur, 142 mm at Junagarh and 65 mm at Bhawaipatna.
The southern and western parts of the district is experiencing more rain compared to northern and eastern parts.
Traffic movement on NH-201 has been disrupted for two days as flood water of river Hati is flowing over the bridge at Junagarh. Low lying areas of Mankadsola, Amathola and Kuten under Junagarh block, Biripur, Matikhal and Bankapala under Kalampur block have been submerged. Affected people were provided emergency relief by block officials.
Water Recedes in Two Districts
Berhampur: Unlike other areas in the State, flood water in Ganjam and Gajapati districts started receding on Friday.
Following continued rain during the last three days, it was apprehended that the rivers in the two districts would cause flood as they had reached the danger mark. However, on Friday the water receded to the warning level.
While the flood water of river Vansadhara damaged the temporary wooden bridge near Gumuda in Rayagada district, flood water of river Manikeswari submerged Atharanala bridge and damaged the road near Mohana in Gajapati district. Similarly, flood water in Badanadi, Ghodahada and Rushikulya that had submerged the roads in Bhanjanagar, Digapahandi and Purusottampur areas receded but accumulated mud on the roads posed serious problems to the commuters.
Apprehending flood-like situation, Ganjam district administration held an emergency meeting on Friday.
The officials were asked to remain alert and initiate immediate measures to repair the weak portions of river embankments. As a precautionary measure, the administration has started storing sandbags at various places in different villages in the district.
