As many as three persons, including two women, were killed and four persons were swept away in a flash flood that created havoc in the undivided Koraput district with large scale damage to crops, houses and property. The low pressure induced heavy rain for the last two days ravaged Malkangiri district the most, said Special Relief Commissioner PK Mohapatra.
Due to the flash flood, Malkangiri has been cut off with Malkangiri –Jeypur road remaining submerged. While the waters of Sapatadhara river flooded the roads, the bridge near Mathili was submerged as six- foot water from river Pangam flew over it. Similarly, Malkangiri –Sukuma, Malkangiri-Kalimela road also remained under flood waters.
Atalguda village under Dhungiaput Gram Panchayat in Madhili block has been inundated by flood waters of river Kolab. Due to land slide in Bonda hills in Mudulipada, the road communication was cut off, Mohapatra said.
Though as many as three people were killed in the floods, the official figure has put the death toll to two while four persons were reportedly swept away in Aringi village under Kudumulguma block. So far, two dead bodies of women have been recovered. The rain and flood waters also caused large scale damage in Rayagada, Koraput and Nabarangpur.
Meanwhile, Naveen Patnaik, who took stock of the rain and flood situation through video conferencing with District Collectors of four districts, asked them to undertake relief and restoration work. Besides, the Chief Minister also directed the four District Collectors to assess the damage and report to the Govt soon for providing early relief and flood damage assistance to the affected people. Patnaik also asked the District Collectors to open free kitchen centers in the affected villages to provide cooked food to the victims and expedite relief operations. Due to land slide, the communication system had been cut off in two Gram Panchayats, such as Mudulipada and Andrahal.
The CM directed Malkangiri District Collector to provide exgratia to the tune of Rs 1.5 l to kin of each of the deceased family. Besides, he advised authorities to keep stock of medicines and ensure provision of purified drinking water in the inaccessible areas to avoid water borne diseases.