Bhubaneswar: Landslides as well as waterlogging following heavy downpour triggered by cyclone Arnab disrupted road connectivity at several places in Odisha on Thursday.
According to information, a fresh landslide took place on the Kalinga Ghat road in Kandhamala following heavy rain triggered by Cyclone Arnab and a large boulder has fallen from the hillside near Andharikot.
Sources said the landslide took place at the same spot where a portion of National Highway-157 had been washed away by heavy rain on September 24. The recurrence of the landslide has raised concerns as repair work at the site had not yet been completed.
The Kalinga Ghat road connects Ganjam and Kandhamala districts and is an important route for movement between the two districts. The stretch near Andharikot has been prone to repeated landslides, prompting the construction of a guard wall to prevent further damage.
However, the fresh landslide incident has created another challenge for restoration work at the site.
A report from Rayagada said landslide triggered by heavy rainfall blocked a road connecting Rayagada and Gajapati districts in the morning.
The landslide occurred around 9 am to 10 am near Tarabel village under Sagada Gram Panchayat in Gunupur block of Rayagada district. The affected stretch is part of a road constructed under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), connecting the village with Gajapati district.
The landslide has disrupted road connectivity from the Putasing and Sagada areas of Gunupur block towards Gajapati district. The affected area lies close to the inter-district border, where heavy rainfall caused soil and debris to slide down the hillside and block the road.
Officials concerned have been directed to rush to the site immediately and launch restoration work to ensure early resumption of vehicular movement on the route.