Malkangiri District Isolated as Heavy Rains Trigger Severe Flooding
By Addanki Iswar R.
MALKANGIRI, 19 July 2023 :- The Malkangiri district , has been cut off from the outside world as torrential rains continue to wreak havoc in the region. The non-stop downpour has resulted in widespread flooding, inundating major roads and leaving hundreds of passengers stranded.
One of the worst affected routes is the main road connecting Malkangiri to Balimela, where floodwaters are flowing at alarming heights. At the MV 37 pole, water levels have reached a dangerous 5 feet, and at the Poteru pole, it is at 3 feet. The situation is equally dire at the Karukukonda pole, with water flowing at a height of 5 feet, leading to the disconnection of communication between Malkangiri and Motu on National Highway No. 326. Numerous vehicles remain stuck on both sides of the poles, compounding the crisis.
The heavy flooding has severely impacted various areas within Malkangiri town. Netaji Nagar, Malyavant Colony, Butiguda, and the bus stand have been submerged due to the inflow of water from the hills.
The district administration is on high alert as the low-pressure system continues to bring relentless rainfall, further exacerbating the flood situation. To mitigate the risks and protect residents, the authorities have issued an advance notice, urging people in flood-affected areas to move to designated flood shelters.
Officials from the Meteorological Department have reported staggering rainfall figures for Malkangiri district. The region has received a maximum of 943.2 mm of rainfall, surpassing the average of 134.34 mm. The impact has been felt across various blocks, with 183.2 mm in Malkangiri block, 79.0 mm in Mathili block, 88.0 mm in Khairput, 199.0 mm in Chitrakonda Block, 185.0 mm in Korukonda block, 114.0 mm in Kalimela block, and 95.0 mm in Podia block.
The situation remains critical, and authorities are closely monitoring the water levels in different areas to provide necessary assistance and relief. Rescue teams are working tirelessly to reach those stranded by the floods and evacuate affected residents to safer locations.
With the continuous rains posing a threat of further flooding, residents are urged to exercise caution and cooperate with authorities’ instructions to ensure their safety and the well-being of the community.
