Heavy rain washes away temporary culverts in Kandhamal

Kandhamal/ Rayagada: Normal life in several parts of Kandhamal and Rayagada districts has been thrown out of gear following incessant rainfall in the past couple of days. Road communication between Kandhamal, Rayagada and Kalahandi districts has been affected after two temporary culverts at Mundigad and Mundupalipadar under Tumudibandha block (Kandhamal district) got washed away in the heavy rain today.

Hundreds of vehicles are stranded and traffic movement has been severely affected in the areas. An agency engaged in construction of the National Highway has started repair works of the culverts.

Similarly, rainwater is flowing above 5ft on a temporary bridge over river Kalyani River following heavy downpour in Kalyansinghpur block of Rayagada district. As a result, people of five panchayats in the district have been cut off from the rest of the world. Sources said the district administration had constructed a temporary bridge after the permanent bridge was damaged in 2017.

As per reports, the water levels of Nagabali and Kalyani rivers are rising following heavy rainfall in the district.

“Heavy rain is lashing the region since yesterday. As a result, the rainwater is now flowing over the bridge, we are facing a lot of problems,” said Prakash, a local resident.