Ganjam villages marooned, roads washed away after incessant rain in Odisha

Sheragada/Berhampur: Many villages in Odisha’s Ganjam district were marooned today following heavy rain since October 11 induced by a deep depression over Bay of Bengal. Water level of Rushikulya, Baghua, Nandini and Ghodahada rivers flowing through Sheragada area also increased.

A diversion over Jarau river on Badagada-Gangapur road was washed away due to sudden rise in the water level following incessant rain. Similarly villagers of more than 50 villages in Sheragada area were affected as two diversions on Sheragada-Badagada road were washed away. Vehicular movement on the route was completely disrupted.

Acres of standing crops in Sheragada area were completely submerged in water. A local alleged despite villagers repeated appeal to the district administration to take some steps for release of rain water flowing from Pata hills in Sheragada, anything concrete is yet to be done.

In Ganjam district, 1,385 mm rain was recorded in last 24 hours. Khallikote in the district registered maximum 128 mm rain.

Ankuli panchayat under Patrapur block and five villages under Buratala panchayat were inundated. Many villages under Ankuli panchayat have been cut off from other areas following landslide near Chariabada.