Over 20 cattle stranded on Kathajodi riverbed after sudden rise in water level in Cuttack

A sudden surge in the Kathajodi river’s water level on Friday evening left more than 20 cattle, including calves, stranded on a sandbed near Kajipatana, close to the Trisulia bridge in Cuttack district.

According to sources, the herd had been taken to graze in the riverbed earlier in the day. But as the water level rose sharply, their return route was cut off, trapping them on an isolated patch surrounded by water.

The incident has triggered alarm among locals, who fear the situation could turn dire if rescue operations are not carried out immediately. Villagers said that the release of excess water from the Hirakud reservoir has worsened conditions, and with water levels expected to rise further, the risk to the stranded cattle remains high.

Residents have urged the district administration and fire services department to take swift action, warning that any delay could result in the drowning of the cattle and heavy losses to their owners.

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At present, the animals remain marooned on the riverbed as anxious villagers keep watch, hoping for official intervention. Notably, the Hirakud dam is currently discharging water through 24 gates, while Mundali is receiving around 4 lakh cusecs of water.

It may be recalled that last year, nearly 40 cattle were similarly stranded on a riverbed near CDA, before being successfully rescued by fire services personnel.