As flood situation wreaks havoc, political parties begin blame game

Bhubaneswar: The BJP has held Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik responsible for the flood situation in Southern Odisha as the latter is in charge of the Department of Water Resources.

State BJP Vice President Sameer Mohanty, in a press meet on Sunday, alleged that absence of any project on prominent five rivers of Odisha - Bansadhara, Nagavali, Jhanjabati, Mahendra Tanaya and Rushikulya - to check such situation paved way for the hazard.

Addressing media persons, Mohanty said, "The Chief Minister who is in charge of the Water Resources Department is only reviewing the situation. Such a situation would have avoided had any projects been constructed on the river."

Mohanty added that the BJP activists of Southern Odisha have been asked to visit the affected areas and extend support to the people.

Incessant rains and an unprecedented rise in the water level of the Nagavali and Kalyani River triggered flash floods in Kalyansingpur block in Rayagada district on Sunday. Twelve villages of Kalyansinghpur and Rayagada are affected due to the flash flood.

Besides rail track in between Therubali and Singapur stations have been washed away by the flood water.

In a similar situation in Kalahandi district, vehicular communication between Junagarh and Dharmagarh, Bhawanipatna, Nabarangpur came to a standstill as water in Hati River has crossed bridge level due to incessant rain in upper catchment and release of surplus water from the Indravati reservoir.

Communication between Gunupur and Thuamul Rampur was severely affected as water crossed the bridge level on Nagabali River.

Met Department has predicted more rain in Kalahandi, Rayagada, Gajapati, Ganjam, Malkangiri and Nabarangpur and said it will continue till next three days. Water level in Rushikulya and Bansadhara may rise if rain continues, informed regional Met office and advised fishermen not to venture into sea.