Cyclone Montha batters Odisha’s Koraput: Heavy rain makes rivers swell, triggers landslides

Landslides, road blockades, and power outages owing to heavy rainfall under the influence of Cyclone Montha and its remnants have severely impacted the Koraput district.

Sources reported that the Narayanpatna block in particular bore the major brunt of the cyclone, with landslides being reported hours before Montha made landfall late last night near Kakinada of Andhra Pradesh.

Landslide Blocks Roads In Koraput

Sources reported that in Boriput village under Narayanpatna block, heavy rainfall on Tuesday evening triggered a landslide that blocked the main connecting road. Another slide near Dhangadijhola left debris covering portions of the route, making it impassable for vehicles.

Local reports added that the road remained blocked overnight, isolating at least two panchayats from the rest of the block. Further, stones and mud slid down the hillside following continuous downpour, obstructing the movement of essential supplies.

Several trees were uprooted and power lines snapped due to strong gusts, plunging nearby villages into darkness, said sources.

As of the last reports, officials from the Koraput district administration and disaster response personnel reached the site on Wednesday morning and began clearing operations using excavators and manpower to restore access.

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The reports also stated that partial road clearance was achieved at Boriput, though complete restoration is expected later in the day. The district control room has been put on high alert as continuous rain and saturated soil increase the risk of fresh slides in the coming hours.

Water Overflows Champavati River Bridge

Further south in the district, water levels in the Champavati river rose sharply overnight, submerging portions of the bridge connecting Narayanpatna with interior regions. Locals said that water was flowing across the bridge deck by early morning, forcing vehicles and pedestrians to halt movement.

Sources reported that the Koraput district administration has pressed its field teams into service to assess damage in low-lying and hilly areas. Road-clearing work at Boriput and Dhangadijhola is expected to take several hours due to the volume of debris.

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Officials are also coordinating with energy department personnel to restore power in villages where lines were snapped by falling branches.