Malkangiri: Malkangiri district in Odisha is facing severe disruptions due to incessant rainfall, which has submerged major roads and bridges, cutting off connectivity with neighbouring states.
According to reports, the National Highway-326, a crucial route connecting Malkangiri to Motu and other states, has been severely affected, with floodwaters rising up to 5-6 feet over key bridges. This has brought traffic on National Highway-326 and other key routes to a grinding halt. In response to the crisis, the district administration has ordered the closure of educational institutions in the district for two consecutive days, effective today, as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of students and staff.
Due to heavy rainfall, floodwaters are flowing over the Kankarakonda bridge on National Highway 326, which connects Malkangiri to Motu. The bridge is completely submerged in floodwaters, resulting in a complete halt on vehicular traffic. Water is flowing over the Kankarakonda, MV 90, and Kanya Ashram bridges, with 2-3 feet of water flowing over the bridge.
Kalimela police, meanwhile, are actively cautioning people against crossing the bridge. The administration has taken measures to ensure public safety by barricading both sides of the bridge and halting all traffic. Consequently, numerous government and private buses plying this route are currently stranded, leading to a significant disruption in connectivity between Odisha and the neighbouring state Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
Similarly, the Kanyashram bridge is currently submerged under 2-4 feet of water, severely disrupting traffic flow between Kalimela and Podia.
Administrative officials are maintaining a high level of vigilance, closely monitoring the situation in light of the ongoing rainfall. The District Disaster Management Officer has conducted an inspection of the Kangrakonda area, assessing the situation firsthand. Furthermore, the Kalimela BDO, Malkangiri Tahsildar, and the Kalimela SHO have visited the submerged bridge area, evaluating the situation and keeping the district administration informed.
In Malkangiri district, the continuous rainfall has also led to waterlogging on the national highway passing through the district headquarters, causing traffic disruptions and water ingress into several shops and homes. Since morning, the district headquarters has experienced persistent rainfall which has resulted in water accumulation at various points along National Highway 326. Near the SP Office and the District Headquarters Hospital, water has accumulated to over 3 feet on the road, making it challenging for motorcycles and small vehicles to navigate.
Water has also entered various shops and homes near the Hospital, leading to significant damage to belongings. Due to the lack of a proper drainage system, shopkeepers and local residents are struggling to drain the water from their shops and homes.
