Rain fury in Odisha's Malkangiri, several areas of district marooned

The flood-like situation in Motu of Malkangiri district continues to remain grim. Several parts of the district are reeling under floods after backwaters from river Godavari in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh inundated villages and farmlands in the state following heavy rainfall.

As per official sources, the backwaters from river Godavari have entered Motu block and some other places on the banks of its tributaries Sabari and Sileru.

As both Sabari and Sileru rivers are now in spate, the flood water has entered Motu tehsil. Three villages of old Motu area are now left inundated. Similarly, around 6 to 7 villages in Motu area also submerged in floodwaters. People are being shifted to safer places with the help of boats by the administration.

As the National Highway number 326 is now submerged, the road communication from Malkangiri to neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Chhattisgarh has been cut-off. Water level in river Godavari has touched 70 feet at Bhadrachalam, sources said.