JAGATSINGHPUR: Recent rainfall has breached several embankment of river Devi in Naugaon village. With more rain predicted, locals are apprehensive of a flood like situation.Not just Naugaon but embankments in several other riverside villages were damaged last year during monsoon. However, many of these structures are awaiting repair. Local administration and Irrigation wing officials are yet to begin work.Mahanadi, Chirotopla, Devi and Biluakhai rivers flow through the district, which has two irrigation division - Mahanadi South division and Jagatsinghpur irrigation division.
While Mahanadi division looks after these four rivers, their tributaries are under the control of Jagatsinghpur Irrigation division. Some of the weak embankments of rivers Devi and Biluakhai are at Nachipur, Narapari, Beherashai, Mundilo, Ghadimula, Eksudha, Patenigaon near Dhuleswer temple, Salanti Korua gheri embankment at Jagatsinghpur block and Kolar, Salagaon, Phulhar, Belabana, Tuembeswer, Angeswerpada, Bachalo, Bhandishai and Sikhar under Naugaon block. The embankments in other villages are also on the verge of collapse due to non-repair and many villagers living in the vicinity have been spending sleepless nights.
Sarpanch of Sikhar panchayat, Akshya Kumar Jena said the two-km-long embankment on Devi from Bilipada to Angeswerpada is in a poor condition. Although lakhs of rupees were spend to repair it last year, the embankment has become weak this year due to substandard work, he said. Stone packing was done at the embankment in Bainapada and Angeswarpada but these have been washed away by river Devi.
Executive Engineer of Irrigation wing, Umakant Mohanty said vulnerable points have been identified on Devi’s embankment at Bhandishai, Podaria, Sribantpur, Kalarabank and a proposal has been sent to the State Government to repair them at the cost of `38 crore.