Indus Valley Times

Indravati dam opens five gates; Baitarani crosses danger mark; 37 blocks, five urban areas affected

By Surya Narayan Panda

Bhubaneswar, Sept. 25: Three days of incessant rainfall disrupted normal life across several parts of Odisha on Friday, particularly in the southern districts, with landslides, fallen trees, boulders and waterlogging blocking roads and affecting rail services at several places.

The situation remained critical in parts of Kandhamal, Gajapati, Malkangiri, Koraput and Rayagada, even as the administration kept a close watch on rising river levels and landslide-prone areas.

In Kandhamal, a landslide at Kalinga Ghati washed away nearly 200 metres of a guard wall. At Bada Ghati in Khallikote, traffic on National Highway-16 was disrupted after huge boulders fell onto the highway. Landslides were also reported from several ghats in Gajapati’s Mohana and Malkangiri.

Rayagada witnessed road blockades after trees were uprooted, while soil slipping onto a railway track affected train services. Roads in Koraput and Chitrakonda were also blocked by fallen trees. Several mud houses collapsed and rainwater entered homes in different areas, while parts of Berhampur experienced waterlogging. ODRAF and Fire Services personnel used boats to rescue people from affected areas.

Revenue minister Suresh Pujari reviewed the rainfall situation and its impact across the State. Around 37 blocks and five urban areas have been affected by the rain, according to the government.

Water resources department Engineer-in-Chief Dillip Kumar Rout said five gates of the Indravati Dam had been opened following a rise in the reservoir level, prompting close monitoring of downstream areas.

Nabarangpur recorded average rainfall of 238 mm, with Tentulikhunti receiving the highest at 395 mm. Koraput recorded an average of 189 mm, with Borigumma receiving 307 mm, while Malkangiri recorded an average of 147 mm, with the highest rainfall of 162 mm recorded in the district.

Mr Rout said the Baitarani had crossed the danger mark at Akhuapada on Thursday and was expected to rise further by Friday evening.

However, the department said there was no possibility of a major flood in the Subarnarekha, Brahmani and Mahanadi rivers. The Subarnarekha and Budhabalanga were expected to reach the danger mark.

In a separate incident in Mayurbhanj, two persons were trapped inside a car for nearly two hours after a strong current swept the vehicle away at Naharapada village under Udala police limits. Villagers later spotted the car and rescued the occupants.

With rainfall continuing, authorities have intensified monitoring of vulnerable areas, river levels, roads and landslide-prone stretches across the State.