Floodwater recedes but plight of flood-hit people not over

Even after floodwater receded in affected areas especially in coastal Odisha and the flood situation improving, flood-affected people are yet to heave a sigh of relief. 

According to sources, flood-hit people have started returning to their homes although floodwater has not receded completely. They were evacuated to safer place after Hirakud opened 40 sluice gates and they were taking shelter near riverbanks. With rainfall decreasing, people have started going back to their homes. 

Take the case of people residing at the lower catchment of the Mahanadi. Their homes were full of slush and mud after floodwater receded. And all their belongings were lying scattered all over. Reconstructing their lives post flood has become a Herculean task for these villagers. 

Besides, flood has ruined crops raised by farmers. Vegetables raised on acres of farmland at Gulapada have been damaged due to flood. Many farmers who have grown seasonal vegetables and paddy after taking loan have incurred huge losses due to flash flood. They had availed loans for cultivation. After incurring losses, they are staring at uncertainty as their farms remain submerged in floodwater.

“Crops have been destroyed completely. After flood water recedes, we have returned home only to find damaged crops”, said a farmer. 

Meanwhile, due to incessant rain Jasipur-Similipal Road has got cut off from the outer world. As Jasipur-Similipal Road was submerged, communication to four gram panchayats such as Gurugudia, Astakuanra, Borehipani and Dhalabani  has snapped. 

It is learnt that floodwater is flowing above two feet at Khoiri Bhandanana Bridge on Similipal Tiger Reserve premises. 
Also, residents of Masania, Tentulimuhan and Orabarasingha villages in Khurda district have been reeling from flood for last seven days.

Floodwater is still flowing above three-four feet water here. Moreover, lack of drinking water has made their life miserable.

Flood has marooned ward nine of Keonjhar Municipality for last few days. Floodwater has entered houses due to lack of drainage system. Flood victims were seen using pump sets to discharge rainwater from their houses. 

In last 24 hours, Keonjhar has recorded 672.92mm rainfall. Joda has recorded 99.2 mm rain while 96.4mm rain was recorded in Jhumpura. Similarly, Champua and Keonjhar Sadar have recorded 71.5 mm and 46.2 mm rain respectively in last 24 hours.

Meanwhile, Keonjhar District Collector said, “The district administration is ready to tackle any sort of situation.”

Incessant rain has claimed a life in Koraput. A nine-year old boy died after wall of a house collapsed on him at PHD colony in Koraput on Saturday. The deceased identified as Priyanshu, son of Suman Rajbhatra was taking bath when wall of the bathroom collapsed on him. Fire service personnel reached the spot and recovered his body from the debris, sources said.