Flash flood washes away bridge in Rayagada; 20k villagers affected

Rayagada: A temporary bridge over Kalyani River that was considered as the lifeline of Kalyansinghpur block in Rayagada district was washed away due to flash flood today.

With this, communication in all villages under six Panchayats under the block has been disrupted affecting around 20 thousands people. Meanwhile, the district administration has supplied boats to local fishermen for communication in the region for the time being.

Sources said the temporary bridge over the river was constructed after the permanent one was washed away in July, 2017. The villagers alleged that the mishap occurred due to delay in construction of a permanent bridge over the river.

“A tender was floated for a permanent bridge on the river since long but no work has been started yet. People of six Panchayats were depended on the temporary bride that got washed away today. Such mishap would not have occurred had the district administration constructed a permanent bridge on the river,” said a villager.

“No Government official has visited the affected areas to take stock of situation after the mishap. Thousands of people residing in the six Panchayats are now left to fend for themselves,” he added.