The local people of Narasinghpur here are panicky over the decrepit condition of the Mahanadi embankment from Paschimanchal Chakragarhpur to Kamaladiha. The villagers are of the apprehension that even a miniature flood in the river can create breaches in the weak embankments causing large-scale devastations.
Though the concerned department has informed that an estimate has been submitted for safety of the embankment ranging from Chakragarh to Angul border line via Jodumu Kamaladiha, whether the administration would approve it soon is doubted. It may be noted that the devastating flood in 1982 had created breaches between the Chakragarh to Kamladiha destroying large properties.
“While river embankments at various places are being renovated in phased manner, the villagers staying near the river embankments from Chakragarh to Kamaladiha are left to fend for themselves,” rued one local. Besides, the wood mafia stealing several trees from the jungles is another reason behind the worsening condition of the river embankments.
“The State Water Resources department has not provided any facilities, especially to the area between Chakragarh to Baliput in the district. The State Government has completely neglected the flood security of the area,” alleged villagers of Sana Gaan, Mandania, Mandanian, Panchama and Odisinga etc. However, Panchyat Samiti member Jitendra Kumar Pradhan demanded renovation of the embankment along with construction of one embankment between Sana Gaan to Chakragarh.