Bhubaneswar: Two breaches have formed in the embankment of Kani River, a distributary of the Baitarani River, at Kantapada in Dasarathpur block of Jajpur district.
According to reports, the first breach is around 70 feet wide while the second one, roughly 50 feet wide, occurred around 150 feet away from the initial gap. Both openings have allowed floodwater to rush into nearby croplands.
The inundation has affected agricultural land in several panchayats, including Malikapur, Duduraanta, Shushua, Mangalpur and Kanikapada. Floodwater has also entered some low-lying areas, increasing concerns among residents.
As a result, agricultural fields in multiple panchayats — including Malikapur, Duduraanta, Shushua, Mangalpur, and Kanikapada — have been submerged. Also, water has also entered several low-lying residential pockets, worrying local villagers. To make matters worse, nearly one kilometre stretch of the embankment between Malikapur and Kantapada has sunk and weakened, increasing the risk of more widespread flooding if water levels stay high.
Residents have raised concerns about the slow progress of repair work on an earlier breach at Gunthunipada in Kayan Panchayat on the Baitarani River. That section, spanning around 500 metres, collapsed last year and is yet to be fully restored.
If the rainfall continues or the water level in the river rises further, the situation is likely to become even more serious.
