Heavy downpour triggered by depression over Bay of Bengal battered Odisha’s Malkanagiri district paralysing normal life and disrupting road communication badly.
Malkanagiri recorded 317.2 mm of rainfall during past 48 hours which is enough to flood large parts of seven blocks in the district.
According to office of Special Relief Commissioner, due to very heavy rainfall, communication to most part of the district was disrupted and flood water overtopped the roads and bridges at many places. “Some villages especially in Kalimela and Korukonda blocks were marooned. The telephone and mobile phone service was also partially affected,” the SRC office said.
Korukonda block town of Malkanagiri, which had received 254 mm on Saturday, recorded 187 mm rainfall on Sunday. Malkanagiri district headquarter town also recorded precipitation of 206 mm on Sunday.
Reports from the district said situation improved as the rain stopped since Sunday morning. “Connectivity on Jeypore and Malkangiri road has been restored as flood water has receded from Pangam Bridge and Saptadhara Bridge. Similarly, connectivity from Malkangiri to Motu and Balimela has been made motorable. It will take some more time for restoration of Kalimela-Padia road,” it said.
Two units of Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) from third battalion of Odisha State Armed Police with 16 personnel and required equipment reached Malkangiri to assist the District Administration in search, rescue, road clearance and other relief operation.
Besides, 99 fire services personnel also moved to Malkangiri with 13 power boats, 19 mechanical saws and 13 inflatable tower lights. Dry food had been provided to people taking shelters at different places.
Apart from Malkanagiri, other southern Odisha districts have received heavy rainfall during past 24 hours under influence of the depression. Rainfall measuring 142.3 mm was recorded at Nabarangpur, Koraput (84mm), Gajapati (75.8mm), Rayagada (74.6mm) and Ganjam (70.9 mm). Due to heavy rain, a diversion road near an under-construction bridge in Mohana block of Ganjapati district was swept away.
