KENDRAPARA: Flood situation in Kendrapara worsened on Sunday after Brahmani river breached at Nilakanthapur of Pattamundai block and Eradanga in Aul block.
District emergency officer Rajanikanta Mohanty said, “Brahmani is flowing over the danger level at Alava in Pattamundai block. As many as 14 weak points have been identified on river banks and embankments of which 12 are highly vulnerable to breach. Senior engineers and experts along with police force are keeping a constant vigil. We have deployed 292 private and 50 government boats to rescue the marooned people.”
The main road from Aul to Pattamundai has been cut off as five ft high flood water was flowing on the 10-km long road. Flash floods created havoc in Aul, Pattamundai and Rajkanika blocks by cutting off many riverside villages from the main land. The main road from Singhpur to Rajkanika was cut off while flood water was flowing over two old bridges.
In Aul and Pattamundai, hundreds of people are still trapped in the flood water waiting for help, food, drinking water and medicines, sources said.
The main road from Chandabali to Kendrapara was cut off at Aul and Rajkanika affecting the flow of traffic. The release of water from Rengali dam and incessant rains in the catchment areas have caused Brahmani, Kharasrota and their tributaries to swell. Aul remained the worst-hit block with over one lakh people affected by the flood. While a large number of villages have been marooned, the only mode of transportation is boats, which is affecting relief work. Meanwhile, the fate of a large number of farmers now hangs in balance as the flood water has also damaged standing paddy crops in several areas.
“All the crops have been destroyed. We are now worried over paying back our bank loans,” said Manas Behera of Singhpur village in Aul. The flood has also severely damaged vegetable farms across the district.