Baripada: Continuous rain triggered by a depression has led to a flood-like situation in several parts of Mayurbhanj district, inundating low-lying areas, damaging houses and disrupting road connectivity at multiple locations, officials said on Thursday.
Water has risen several feet above embankments and bridges on key roads in Morada and neighbouring blocks, bringing vehicular movement to a standstill. More than three feet of water was reported flowing over the Chitrada embankment on the Baripada-Jaleswar main road in Morada block, while over four feet of water was flowing across the Mohanpur embankment on the Baramail-Baghara road.
Connectivity was also disrupted after the bridge on the Kostha-Deuli road near Jhaliamara in Suliapada block was washed away. The bridge, which had reportedly remained in a weak condition for a long time, served thousands of people from eight panchayats.
In another incident, around three feet of water was flowing over the Surukikhala at Jambhirapal, disrupting communication between Dhenkia and Kanimohuli. Floodwater has also entered four panchayats in Rasgobindpur block, prompting the administration to evacuate residents from Nakichua, Manida, Khuntapal and Saramula panchayats.
The administration, along with ODRAF and fire service teams, has been carrying out rescue and evacuation operations. The district Collector and Sub-Collector visited affected areas and reviewed the situation.
Meanwhile, a 30-year-old man was rescued after he was swept away by floodwater while watching the rising water level at Sankarai Nala in Nuagan village under Shyamsundarpur panchayat and Bangiriposi police station limits. Bajun Hansda managed to cling to a bamboo and villagers alerted the fire service, police and tehsil officials after hearing his cries for help. An ODRAF team subsequently rescued him and shifted him to a community health centre, where his condition was stated to be stable.
Floodwater has entered several residential areas, particularly in low-lying villages. Residents have been forced to move to roads and safer locations along with their families and livestock, while household stocks of paddy and rice were damaged after being submerged.
At least 20 houses in Samaidhi, Ladadhi and Madandhi villages under the Handibhanga embankment area of Gadigan panchayat and Chitrada NAC were submerged. Local officials and elected representatives visited the affected villages to assess the damage.
Flooding has also been reported in Tentulibati, Ratanpur, Rekana and Itamundia-Bhadarananda under Barkand panchayat; Gandaguhali and Gholmuhan under Gholmuhan panchayat; Shilada under Chitrada panchayat; Panchagochhia and Pattakundia under Morada panchayat; and Dengashol village under Gadigan panchayat. Affected families have been shifted to safer locations, officials said.
The Jambhira river has continued to swell amid persistent rainfall and heavy showers in its upper catchment, raising concern among residents living along the river and nearby embankments.
Reports from different areas suggested that more than 60 houses had collapsed during the day, while the Revenue Department put the number of houses damaged or collapsed due to incessant rain at over 40.
Several bridges and road stretches remained submerged, with water flowing more than four feet above bridge levels at some locations. The Rajabandh bridge has been submerged, cutting off connectivity along the Baripada-Amarda state highway, while water flowing over the Mohanpur bridge has disrupted communication on the Baramail-Gadia route.
Block and tehsil administrations have been placed on alert and officials, including PIOs, supply assistants, ADEOs and revenue inspectors, have been deployed at vulnerable locations. Evacuation of affected residents is continuing and arrangements are being made to provide cooked food at night, Bidyakar Nayak said.
Fire service personnel from Chitrada and Morada police station personnel are assisting the administration, while police have restricted traffic movement at vulnerable bridges and stretches to prevent accidents.
With rainfall continuing and river levels rising, authorities are closely monitoring the situation across the affected parts of the district.
