TV
Heavy rainfall triggered landslides in Keonjhar district, causing significant disruption to daily life on Sunday. Mudslides were reported at Judiaghati and Kanjipani Ghati, affecting vehicular movement on National Highway 49. At Judiaghati, two large boulders rolled down the slope, one of which has already been cleared from the road by NHAI authorities.
Similarly, continuous rain led to a mudslide at Kanjipani Ghati, blocking one side of the highway and restricting traffic flow.
Waterlogging Adds to Residents’ Woes
Environmentalists pointed out that persistent downpours have also caused severe waterlogging in several areas under Keonjhargarh Municipality, including Sponge Colony and Gramasri Colony. Local residents are facing considerable inconvenience as their daily activities have been severely hampered.
Weakening of Hills Due to Deforestation
According to environmentalist Jaya Krushna Panigrahi, the landslide-prone areas are places where hills were cut through for road construction.
“Thousands of trees were felled in the region, leading to the weakening of slopes. When heavy rainfall occurs in the upper catchment areas, the unstable sections of the hills slide down, bringing boulders, mud, and trees along with them,” he said, adding that constant felling of trees and indiscriminate hill cutting were directly responsible for such dangerous situations.
Need for Afforestation and Preventive Measures
Panigrahi emphasised that planting trees is the most effective solution, as the roots hold the soil firmly together.
He warned that landslides and mudslides, though unpredictable, could be prevented to a large extent if deforestation and hill cutting were stopped and a commitment to afforestation was taken seriously.
Panigrahi added that such incidents were reported from various parts of Odisha in recent times due to incessant rainfall. People travelling through these vulnerable stretches should be adequately informed if a landslide or mudslide has occurred recently, he further said.
