Koraput: Panic gripped residents of Ekataguda after several hundreds of acres of paddy field were submerged following a major breach in the main canal of the Upper Kolab on the outskirts of Jeypore town on late Friday night.
According to reports, the villagers had a narrow escape as the flood water flowed in the direction of the farmlands leaving the village unscathed.
Locals first noticed cracks on the embankment late in the evening. Later, the cracks started getting wider with erosion of the base resulting in the formation of a 50-60 ft long-breach. On being informed, local MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati reached the spot and alerted the district administration. Officials of Jepore Irrigation department and police rushed to the spot and initiated steps for repairing the breach.
The villagers were reportedly angry and rued that the district administrative officials did not take immediate majors to prevent the breach though they had informed them as and when the crack was noticed. They also demanded immediate repair of the breach and renovation of the embankment.
“The district administration did little to provide relief to the people on Friday night. We have been making frequent calls after the crack and the breach occurred. But none of the officials paid any heed to our request,” alleged a villager.
Irrigation department officials, however, expressed their helplessness and said that they were taking stock of the situation.
“We have started an investigation to find out the reason behind the collapse of the embankment,” said Junior Engineer Prasana Panda.
Bahinipati meanwhile lashed out at the irrigation department officials for their alleged apathy. He attributed the cause of the breach of the embankment to substandard repair and renovation works besides lack of departmental inspection and supervision.
“The embankment is failing to withstand water pressure due to poor quality work. The administration is indulging in corruption. I will write to the Chief Minister to take immediate steps against the errant officials and renovate the embankment immediately. I will also raise the issue in the assembly,” said Bahinipati.
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