5 Panchayats In Odisha’s Khurda Waterlogged For 5 Days, Relief Operation Yet To Take Off

Bhubaneswar: Even as 5 panchayats under Balipatna block of Odisha’s Khurda district have been inundated due to torrential rain for the last few days, relief operation is yet to start in the area.

As many as 4 villages in the bock have been waterlogged and totally cut off from outside world after Dhanua river overflowed its banks and floodwater the villages. People have to wade through waist-deep water flowing inside the villages to reach high ground to get essential items for the last 5 days.

“With no provision of boat services, we have to cross the floodwater for nearly 2 km to reach high ground to procure groceries and other essential items. Our temple is also submerged in water,” said a villager.

Due to rising water level, people are afraid to go to the flood shelters on the outskirts of villages. While the people living in mud houses have managed to reach safe shelters after their houses collapsed, those in concrete houses have shifted to rooftops with their belongings.

Relief operation is yet to start in the villages with neither panchayat officials nor block administration coming to the rescue of the flood affected people. “The administration distributed half a kg of flattened rice and some molasses two days back. With tubewells remaining submerged, we have to consumer the floodwater after boiling it. There is neither any supply of drinking water nor free kitchen has been opened,” said another villager.

With the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting more rain under the influence of deep depression over Bay of Bengal, the villagers feared that situation might worsen. They also expressed apprehension that water-borne diseases may break out in their area if the floodwater is not drained out soon.