BHUBANESWAR: Torrential rains on Monday wreaked havoc across Odisha with the weather experts predicting more rain and thunderstorm in most parts of the state in the next 24 hours.
Heavy rains triggered flood alert even as state relief commissioner (SRC) said they are ready to face any untoward situation. Major rivers in southern and western Odisha are flowing above the danger mark.
“Incessant rain has led to the rise in water level in several rivers but officials concerned have been asked to remain watchful as rain is likely to continue till tomorrow, mainly in south and coastal Odisha. There is no flood-like situation in the state so far,” said SRC, Bishnupada Sethi.
Normal life was badly hit in major cities including Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and pilgrim town Puri due to the incessant rain continuing for more than 24 hours. Severe waterlogging forced the district administration to declare holidays for all schools in Cuttack. Drain water gushed into houses in the cities inundating many localities.
“We shifted people from slums to different schools and anganwadi centres. If situation improves they will return home tomorrow,” said Bhubaneswar mayor Anant Narayan Jena.
Devotees and tourists went to Puri for Rath Yatra faced inconvenience due to waterlogging and were seen wading through knee deep waters on Grand Road.
The highest rainfall of 297mm was recorded in Bhawanipatna block of Kalahandi district while four blocks of the district also recorded more than 200mm rainfall on Monday. One person identified as Kalia Majhi (30) of Dangar Patlima village in Lanjigarh block is reportedly missing since Monday morning while crossing the Badpada ghat as the Bansadhara river was in spate. In another incident near Chapria village of Golamunda block, while working in the mega lift irrigation project, 10 workers were stranded due to swelling of river Udanti. A rescue team has been sent to the spot, said Kalahandi collector Anjan Kumar Manik.
Vehicular movement disrupted on NH-59 as three diversions were washed away in different places of under construction bridges disconnecting Madanpur Rampur to Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Berhampur, Baliguda and from Gopalpur to Raipur. Several villages also remained cut off due to high water levels over bridges in the district.
Normal life was also hit in Kalahandi, Rayagada and Ganjam districts where several villages have been cut-off due to submergence of roads. Official sources said rivers like Tel and Hati have been flowing above the warning level in Kalahandi district.
In Ganjam district, the situation remained grim as rainwater gushed into houses and farmlands in low-lying areas at Kabisuryanagar and Aska. Road links have been snapped in some areas. In Rayagada district, rainwater has submerged many villages in Bissamcuttack and Paikadakuluguda areas, while the Bansadhara river level is rising.
Waterlogging was reported at Odisha's iconic Konark temple on Monday.
