Sharmili Mallick

Malkangiri: The flood-like situation in Malkangiri district improved on Sunday bringing much relief to the people. As water level of several rivers including Sileru, Saberi, Poteru and Saptadhara started receding, road communication has been restored in the region, senior officials said.

Earlier, vehicular communication in the district was adversely affected as several bridges in the low-lying areas of Kokarkonda, MV-37 and Korkunda areas were submerged during the flash floods triggered by incessant rain in the past one week.

The movement of vehicular traffic between Malkangiri-Kalimela and Malkangiri-Balimela has also resumed from yesterday.

Besides, the government bus services, which were suspended from/ to the district as precautionary measures in the wake of Maoists Martyrs’ Day till August 3, also resumed from today.

“Although the district is experiencing continuous shower, the amount of rainfall decreased considerably. As a result, the water level is gradually receding,” said Malkangiri Collector, Manish Agarwal.

Agarwal further informed that the district administration is fully prepared to deal with any situation. "We have opened 14 centres for providing free food. So far, 630 people have been rescued and brought to relief centres,” added Agarwal.

Cultivation in over 7,000 hectares land has been damaged in the flash flood, added reports.

On the other hand, India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicted that Odisha would continue to receive rainfall till August 7 under the impact of monsoon trough and multiple cyclonic circulations over Bay of Bengal.

The IMD has also issued an orange warning for Nabarangpur, Malkangiri, Nuapada, Kalahandi and Koraput districts.

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