The residents in the sea erosion prone Satabhaya area in Rajnagar block are in a state of panic following ingress of sea water into their settlement on Monday evening.
According to reports, a high tide crossed the embankment near Maa Panchubarahi temple and gushed into the nearby villages. The temple also remained marooned.
To add further woes, the flood water of Baunsagada river entered into the villages after overtopping the Kendraparra-Dantiapada embankment.
Meanwhile, the farmers of Iswarapur panchayat alleged that the sea water submerged their paddy fields after entering through three sluice gates at Balarampur embankment area.
Though the State Water Resources Department had constructed three sluice gates at the embankment three years ago, these gates do not close properly due to faulty installation of motors, they said.
This is the second time that the sea water entered in the area this monsoon season. Earlier on July 15 last, the sea water had entered the paddy fields in the area following a 50-feet breach in the embankment.
later, the local people, with the help of the Water Resources Department, had managed to repair the embankment by stacking sand bags to resist the advance of sea water.