**Rayagada: ** Flood situation in Kalyansighpur block in the south Odisha district here still remained grim on Tuesday as major parts of the block were marooned due to further heavy downpour even though the swelling rivers were marked receding.
Over 30 villages in Kalyansighpur block were reportedly cut-off from other parts of the State due to flash floods in Nagavali and Kalyani rivers.
While Kumbharaguda village was washed away completely, relief materials were airdropped for flood victims in Majhiguda and Kattaguda villages.
A victim woman while narrating the ordeal said, “Some officials had come by car and bikes to alert us about the looming flood in the river and warned us to vacate village soon and move to the temporary shelter. Even though we have been experiencing flooded river for the last few years, this year the river has wrecked havoc. Some have taken shelter in the school and some others in the Anganwadi centre. We are being served food twice a day by the government.”
National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel have swung into rescue operations while the NDRF higher authority on Tuesday took stock of the ongoing operations personally.
Talking to media, B.K. Tiwari, Deputy Commandant, NDRF said, “When we got information about flash flood in Nagavali river here, we have reached here with two teams and held meeting with district administration. The Thirubali railway bridge has been washed out in the flood. For that purpose we have dumped there about 700 sand bags and boulders. One team has been deployed in Kasingpur and Majhiguda besides Jagannathpur for distribution of relief materials. When we got information at night that Bansadhara river in Gunpur is flowing above danger mark, at once one more team has been deployed there.”
“Situation is comparatively improving. Our team is ready to deal with any exigencies. I would like to appeal the people here not to panic. We’re ready to help them at any cost whenever required,” the NDRF deputy commandant assured.
Notably, the alarming rise in the water levels in the Nagavali and the Kalyani rivers has caused extensive damage to bridges, road and railway infrastructure on Sunday.
Five persons were injured in wall collapse incidents in Rayagada district and all of them were admitted to government hospitals, the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) office at the State capital Bhubaneswar said.
The Rayagada administration has already started airdropping of food packets to the flood victims at Majhiguda, Kumbharguda, Brahmana Sahi, Kumbharsahi and Sai Nagar since Monday. Cooked food is also being served to the people taking shelter in local schools.
Other districts of southern Odisha are also going through flood-like situation.
According to reports, Bansadhara river was flowing above danger mark (54.60 m) near Kasinagar in Gajapati district. Water level in Rushikulya and Bansadhara were also on the rise.
Total 24 panchayats were trapped in the flash floods in Thuamula Rampur of adjoining Kalahandi district.
Vehicular traffic was disrupted due to flow of water above the bridge on Hati river near Junagarh. The woes mounted due to heavy rains accompanied by strong wind caused more damages in Thuamula Rampur block.
More areas were apprehended be inundated due to rise in water levels in Sandul river.
Total 70 families of Palasapada village had taken shelter at the Talabela panchayat office in Bhawanipatna after flash floods damaged houses and submerged the area.
As per the SRC sources, the reports on the death of two persons came from Kalahandi district. While one person died in a landslide, another man drowned and three persons were injured after a wall collapsed in Kalahandi district.
The SRC official sources also said that flood situation is improving in Rayagada and Kalahandi districts. Dornier aircraft has been sent to study situation of 2 cut-off villages near Niyamgiri.
Reports also said that communication between Nabarangpur and Kalahandi was hit as flood water was flowing above an under construction bridge at Dhanasuli.