Portion of Ledhabandha Bridge caves in Gajapati district in heavy rainfall; road connectivity snapped

A major portion of the Ledhabandha bridge in Mohana, Gajapati district, has been washed away due to incessant rain, causing major disruption. A 15-ft-wide breach has formed on the bridge due to the strong current of the Harabhangi river following heavy rainfall the previous night.

As a result of this, one side of the bridge has caved in, halting traffic completely on National Highway No. 326, which connects Rayagada district to Berhampur and Bhubaneswar.

Despite the severity of the situation, restoration work is yet to begin, and National Highway officials have not arrived at the site to assess the damage.

Local residents have expressed their frustration, stating that the incident was triggered by last night’s heavy rain and are now facing serious difficulties in commuting.

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The lack of immediate response has added to their woes, with many urging authorities to act swiftly and begin repair work without further delay. 

The disruption has not only affected daily movement but has also raised concerns about the readiness and response of officials during such emergencies.