Villagers use tube rafts to cross river

RAYAGADA: Proving the adage ‘Necessity is the mother of invention’ true, locals of Kalyansinghpur block have started using tube rafts as a means of transport in absence of a fair weather temporary bridge over Kalyani river, which was washed away recently,.Tube rafts are considered risky and Collector Guha Poonam Tapas Kumar has directed the Tehsildar to stop the practice. She has also asked the Regional Transport Officer (RTO) to ensure bus service for panchayats of the block that remain cut off from the rest of the areas in the absence the bridge which had got damaged due to flash flood last year.

The damage to the bridge has affected communication to Parshalli, Sunakhandi, Palama, Kandhakatipada and Pujariguda panchayats along with some portions of Kalyansinghpur block. School and college students are the worst sufferers so are the particularly vulnerable tribal group, Dongria Kondhs of Niyamgiri hills. The Health department, in order to provide services to the affected villagers, has erected a temporary treatment centre at Badadurara Sahi.

A Medical Health Unit (MHU) and Medical Health Team have been deployed to deliver round the clock services. In addition to this, bike ambulance services have also been started to meet medical exigencies.Meanwhile, RTO Dilip Kumar Dalei said a bus service will start from Thursday from Badaduarasahi to other places to facilitate safe transportation of the affected villagers.