The incessant rains induced by the latest spell of low pressure brought floods in the Mahanadi. The Hirakud reservoir released water into it as there were heavy rains in the upper catchment of the river.
As water overflew into the bank, a few riverside dwellers had to shift to safer locations on their own. However, it was a prime time for the wood smugglers, who by cashing in on the opportunity managed to transport valuable logs through waterway defying the vigil of the Forest personnel.
Sub-Collector Madhusudan Mishra told that all Tehsildars and BDOs of Narasinghpur, Baramba, Tigiria and Athagarh along with all Government officials were put on high alert and were asked to remain at the headquarters for management of rescue and relief operation.
Rice was stocked for two months in all riverside panchayats besides other relief materials. Cuttack Collector Girish SN monitored the situation.
Continuous rains and heavy flow of water in the Kharashrota river wrecked havoc in some villages of Ali and Rajakanika area in Kendrapada district.
A few villages in Kalapathar and Bhapur area of Nayagarh district were also engulfed with water as the Kaligiri river water gushed into the villages.
In Kandhamal district, a temporary bridge near Gochhapada washed away due to heavy rainfall as a result of which communication to the villages of six panchayats was disrupted.
The situation in Nuapada district’s Khariar block was even worse. Hundreds of hectares of crop came under water hitting hard the farming community.
A high-level team on Saturday inspected the breach site at Patapur under Dasarathpur block in Jajpur district.
The river Baitarani breached at Patapur on Tuesday last as a result of which around one lakh villagers of 60 villages under 17 panchayats had been marooned. Many flood-affected villagers demanded early mending of the breach to save their standing paddy saplings.
“The authorities have already started the breach repairing work. It would take around a week to repair it,” said Executive Engineer Suresh Chandra Dalei. local Met officials said the rains would continue for three more days in the State. “Heavy rainfall will occur at some places of north and south parts of the State,” said IMD Bhubaneswar Director Sarat Sahu.