New natural mouth formed at Chilika lake near Arakhakuda

Chilika: Panic gripped residents of 15 villages of Arakhakuda panchayat in Puri district after a new natural mouth was formed today due to high tide and heavy rain under the impact of cyclone Titli at Chilika lake.

Villagers alleged that the problem assumed serious proportions due to rampant cutting down of trees which posed threat to the embankment. Besides, the protection wall has also sustained damage.

Official sources informed that Chilika Lake had only one active mouth opposite to Nua Patna. The new mouth which had opened near Arakhakuda few weeks back has only widened now due to high tides under the impact of Cyclone Titli .

"Though some people were evacuated and kept at a multi-purpose shelter yesterday, they were asked to leave this morning and even no cooked food was provided," alleged a local resident.

Meanwhile, Puri Collector Jyoti Prakash Das informed due to sudden flow of water from the sea into the Chilika lake such situation cropped up. Once the water level of Chilika lake declines, water from the village will automatically recede in a natural manner.

“The natural mouth was already present but it has only widened after the saline embankment was damaged. Tehsildar has visited the spot this morning and he has been directed to undertake a joint inspection along with the technical team from Chilika Development Authority to further assess the situation and assure people that there is no threat to them,” Das stated.