Even as Rayagada and Kalahandi districts were still in the grip of floods, incessant rains flooded many parts of Malkangiri and Nabarangpur districts on Tuesday.
Vehicular communications between Malkangiri and Nabarangpur were disrupted due to three-foot floodwater flowing over the road. Hundreds of vehicles and commuters were stranded en route. Three bridges were submerged on the Kalimela-Motu route for up to about 70 km in Malkangiri.
The communications between Nabarangpur and Kalahandi were also affected due to floodwaters. Thousands of villagers were marooned in Nabarangpur district.
However, the flood situations began improving in Rayagada and Kalahandi districts even though many villages still remained cut off. Many residents of Kalyansinghpur block were forced to stay in relief camps. Rayagada Collector Guha Punam Tapas Kumar personally supervised the relief operations.
Rescue and relief operations are also being carried out in Kalahandi.
Meanwhile, Special Relief Commissioner Bishnupada Sethi said in Bhubaneswar, “We are informed that two villages have remained cut off in the Niyamgiri Hills of Rayagada. We have mobilised Dornier aircrafts with some relief materials to make an aerial survey and study the situation of the area.”
“The situation in Kalahandi is improving. Cooked food is being distributed to the victims taking shelters at schools. Two ODRAF teams have camped in the district to tackle any possible eventuality. Voluntary organisations and local NGOs have come forward to assist in rescue and relief operations in the districts,” Sethi said.
He further informed that the water level of Bansadhara river, which crossed the danger mark on Monday at Kashinagar of Gajapati district, came down on Tuesday. “People residing in lower catchment areas have been alerted, and we are prepared to evacuate people if any grave situation arises,” he added.