BHAWANIPATNA: The rising water level of Hati river continues to remain a concern despite rain subsiding in catchment areas from Wednesday afternoon.The swollen river had inundated villages situated in low lying areas on Tuesday following which the Kalahandi district administration shifted families in Matikhal, Biripur of Kalmapur and Labanipur, Kuten and Ghantmal to safer places.
As per reports, Hati river was flowing over four feet above the old bridge at Junagarh on NH- 26 on Wednesday evening. However, light vehicles were being allowed to pass on the bridge which is under construction.
Release of water from Indravati project through Mangalpur barrage had caused flood-like situation on Tuesday. It released 570 cubic metre per sec water into the river through five gates of Mangalpur barrage. As the situation became alarming, Collector Anjan Kumar Manik asked the Indravati project authority to stop release of water.The Collector said the situation is under control and people should not worry.
Meanwhile, six devotees, who were stranded on premises of a Shiva temple since Sunday evening, were rescued by Fire personnel from Utchla village in Golamunda block on the banks of Tel river. As the water level of Tel continued to increase, villagers sought the help of Fire personnel to bring the devotees to safety.
During the last 24 hours, 117 mm rainfall was recorded in Thuamul Rampur, 126 mm in Bhawanipatna, 142 mm in Dharamgarh, 145 mm in Jaipatna and 112 mm rainfall was recorded in Junagarh. Cumulatively, the district received 1,075 mm rainfall.
70 stranded persons evacuated
Malkangiri: As many as 70 persons, who were trapped in flood water near Kangrukonda on Malkangiri-Motu road on Tuesday, were were rescued by the district administration and brought to Malkangiri town following the direction of Collector K Sudarshan Chakravarthy. The evacuated persons, including women and children, were brought to Malkangiri by special vehicles arranged by the administration on Tuesday night. They were given free accommodation at the Government Yatri Nivas near bus stand and cooked food at Gurupriya hostel here. Mats, beds and blankets were also supplied to them. The persons were stranded as rain water was flowing over five feet on Malkangiri-Motu road at Kangrukonda, some 35 km from here, and many other places.