Heavy rainfall accompanied by hostile winds in the wake of Cyclonic Storm Gulab has left a trail of destruction in Koraput.
As per official sources, as many as 325 houses have suffered extensive damages in the cyclonic activity. Pottangi block in the district has suffered the maximum brunt of storm.
Heavy rainfall under the impact of the cyclonic storm triggered landslides in 4 locations near Ralegada and Sunki valley in the district. Moreover, the intense downpour also triggered flash floods in the region causing inundation of the national highway and low lying areas.
Also Read
The district administration had relocated over 8, 300 people to different cyclone shelter homes and ensured food supply throughout the day. No life loss has been reported in the district due to the preemptive evacuation and relief operation by the district administration, NDRF, ODRAF and fire officials.
Informing about the situation, Additional District Magistrate (ADM), Koraput, Deben Kumar Pradhan said, "While Potangi has recorded highest rainfall, 6 blocks in the district have experienced over 60mm of downpour. Extensive damages have been reported in Pottangi block where 4 landslides have been recorded at different spots. Around 103 villages, 2 ULBs and 2 ULB wards have suffered the impact of the cyclonic storm. Of the 325 houses damaged under the impact of the cyclone, 22 are pucca and 303 are kuccha houses. A total of 27, 540 people have been hit by the cyclonic storm."
"Road communication on Semiliguda-Vishakhapatnam highway has been diverted to Araku-Nandapur road. Also, commuters will have to go via Rayagada to Bhubaneswar instead of Sunki, Pradhan added.