Bhubaneswar: Normal life remained disrupted in several parts of Odisha on Wednesday due to a flood-like situation following two days of incessant heavy rains. While waterlogging was reported from many regions of the state, in some places flood water entered the houses.
The water levels in several rivers also breached danger marks. The Bansadhara river breached the danger mark at Kashinagar in Gajapati district, while water is flowing 10 feet over the Kaptipada Mahishasuri culvert at Kudarsahi of Dudhiani panchayat in Karanjia block of Mayubhanj district. As a result, over 20 villages in two panchayats are cut off from the outside world. One side of the culvert has been partially washed away snapping communication between Udala-Shaljad and Soro.
Incessant heavy rain in Similipal increased the water level in the Sunee Dam resulting in an alarming rise in water level in various rivers. A flood-like situation has occurred at Birmaharajpur in Sonepur district following incessant rain and several villages experienced water logging after six out of nine gates of the Hariharjore dam opened to release excess water.
According to reports, a woman was rescued in critical condition from Anandapur town of Keonjhar district in Odisha due to flooding in Baitarani. She had reportedly gone to bathe in the Baitarani River when a flash flood swept her away. When she screamed for help, some locals spotted her and called the ODRAF team. The ODRAF team rushed to the spot and rescued her after much toil.
Meanwhile, incessant rains caused a landslide on the Kolkata- Mumbai National Highway-49 in Judiya Ghat hills in Keonjhar district. Huge boulders fell on roads after heavy rains occurred in the region disrupting communication. A part of the highway is blocked and transportation has come to a standstill.
Special Relief Commissioner and ACS on Wednesday reviewed the rain situation in various districts from the state EOC and asked the concerned District Collectors to provide all required support to affected people. Several teams have been deployed for clearing road blockades and restoring normal traffic.
