Malkangiri/Rayagada/Kandhamal: Heavy rain under the impact of deep depression over northwest Bay of Bengal off north Odisha-West Bengal coasts has triggered flood-like situation in several districts of Odisha like Malkangiri, Rayagada and Kandhamal. Water level in major rivers in the three districts has increased due to heavy downpour since yesterday, submerging many roads and bridges.
As per reports, rainwater has been flowing five-feet over several bridges at Korkonda, Kankarkonda and MV 37 snapping communication in many parts of Malkangiri district. People and hundreds of vehicles are reportedly stranded on both sides of the bridges. Besides, many roads in the remote areas of the tribal-dominated district have remained inundated due to the heavy downpour.
On the other hand, torrential rain has paralysed normal life in Rayagada district. Train services on Rayagada-Titlagarh route has been severely affected after the railway track near Ambodala Railway station got washed away in the flash flood triggered by rainfall. As a result of it, three wagons of a goods train derailed near the station today. However, there was no damage to the rest 56 wagons of the train.
As many as six passenger and two express trains have been cancelled while five express trains were diverted by the East Coast Railways (ECoR) due to the inundation of railway track on the route.
Meanwhile, the ECoR has started repairing the damaged track and also released three helpline numbers- 9437386759 (Sambalpur Railway Station), 8455892831 (Titlagarh Railway Station) and 9437386693 for the help people in need.
The ECoR also announced cash rewards of Rs 5,000 for two track patrolmen- S. Naidu and M. Ramana, engaged in duty on Ambadola section for alerting train staff about the damaged track in time.
Besides, communication disrupted to five villages in Rayagada as water is reportedly flowing above a bridge near Hatamuniguda on Malisiripur-Paridiguda road. Moreover, a road near Khamasingi in Kolnara block also collapsed in the flash flood leading to the disruption of communication between Badakhilapadar and Khamasingi. Another canal bridge collapsed near Jugapadar affecting communication to Moringa.
Besides, the water level in Bansadhara river is reportedly on the rise in Gunupur area of the district and currently flowing above the danger mark. The water level in Nagabali river has also extensively increased, said sources.
In Kandhamal district, a portion of the river bridge connecting Baliguda and Jharipani near Sirila village got washed away in flash flood. A bridge in Tumudibandh block also caved in disrupting communication to many villages in the region.