Rains wreak havoc in Rayagada

A temporary bridge at Badadakuluguda village in Bissamcuttack and another at Serama in Ramanaguda were washed away due to the heavy downpour.

RAYAGADA: Torrential rains wreaked havoc in the district, throwing normal life out of gear on Sunday. While Nagavali and Bansadhara rivers were flowing above the danger mark, communication was disrupted in some places of Bissamcuttack and Ramanaguda blocks.

At 7 pm, water of Bansadhara at Gunupur was flowing above the danger level at 84.05 feet. A temporary bridge at Badadakuluguda village in Bissamcuttack and another at Serama in Ramanaguda were washed away due to the heavy downpour. Reportedly, one Mangulu Praska of Gadabaguda village of Bissamcuttack went missing when he was crossing a nullah near Marka Maa temple.

Sources said Mangulu and his brother Kamalu had come to Bissamcuttak for some work. While they were returning home, Mangulu slipped in the nullah and was swept away in the water. Fire officials were trying to trace him till reports last came in. Similarly, house of one Shiva Mahanandia of Penta gram panchayat has been partly damaged due to the rains. Recently sown paddy seeds had also been washed away due to the torrential rains.

Collector Guha Poonam Tapas Kumar watches the overflowing Bansadhara river at Gunupur and a portion of the temporary bridge at Serama damaged by rains | Express
Collector Guha Poonam Tapas Kumar watches the overflowing Bansadhara river at Gunupur and a portion of the temporary bridge at Serama damaged by rains | Express

District Emergency Officer Babita Dalabehera informed that alternative routes have been chalked out to assist people in the cut-off areas. Besides, efforts are being made  to provide aid to patients and pregnant women at Badadwarsahi through Maa Gruha and Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram teams while Biju Gaon Gadi vehicles have been repositioned for transportation.

All tehsildars have been asked to keep a watch on the situation and if need be, evacuate people and house them in temporary accommodation having free kitchens, Dalabehera said.On the day, Collector Guha Poonam Tapas Kumar visited Gunupur to take stock of the situation of Bansadhara river. Sources said heavy downpour in the upper catchment areas of Bansadhara and Nagavali may be a cause of concern as overcast condition continues to prevail. If heavy rains persist, chances of water level coming down in the rivers are slim.The Collector said necessary arrangements have been put in place to deal with the situation and there is no need to panic.

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