Brahmapur: Incessant rain triggered by Cyclone Arnab inundated Digapahandi town on Wednesday, leaving several localities waterlogged, disrupting traffic and flooding homes, banks, ATMs and shops. Nearly three feet of water flowed over the road near the bus stand, while residents of several neighbourhoods were left stranded amid the deluge.
The worst-affected areas included the bus stand, Sahani Sahi in Ward No. 2, Bishnupriya Nagar, Kalia Nagar and Lakshmi Nrusingha Nagar. Rainwater mixed with sewage entered two public sector banks, ATMs, roadside shops and several houses, reaching knee level at many establishments.
On the Digapahandi–Chikiti road near Dalit Sahi, nearly two feet of water flowed across the main road, bringing vehicular movement to a standstill. Strong currents made it dangerous for motorists and pedestrians to cross the flooded stretch.
Strong winds also uprooted a tree near the Shri Shani Temple at Padmanabhapur village, blocking the Digapahandi–Chikiti road. The Fire Services team reached the spot around 11 am and cleared the obstruction by cutting the fallen tree trunk, restoring traffic movement.
Block Development Officer Anamika Pandey, NAC Executive Officer Abinash Mishra and councillor Sushant Kumar Patra visited the affected areas and took steps to drain the accumulated water. With the India Meteorological Department warning of further rain on Thursday, residents remained apprehensive about continued flooding.
The recurring waterlogging near the bus stand has revived public anger over the failure to provide a permanent drainage solution. A similar situation occurred about a month ago following low-pressure-induced rainfall.
During a subsequent visit, MLA Dr Siddhant Mohapatra, Brahmapur MP Dr Pradeep Kumar Panigrahi, senior Works Department officials and Tehsildar Santosh Kumar Sahu had assured residents that a bridge would be constructed at the earliest to resolve the problem. However, the promised work has yet to begin.
The Tehsildar said rainwater from Changudidei hills, runoff from nearly 500 acres of agricultural land and sewage accumulate in the bus stand area because of inadequate drainage facilities. An action plan has been prepared with the assistance of a technical team, he added.
Residents alleged that encroachment on natural water channels, government drains, grazing lands, public roads and branch canals by land grabbers, plot developers and influential persons had obstructed the natural flow of rainwater, worsening the flooding.
Residents, including Paresh Chandra Mukherjee, Sangram Keshari Rath, E Simadri, Prabhakar Sahu, U Gauranga, M Panchanan, A Badri Patra, Diptikanta Mahankud and Santosh Goud, demanded immediate construction of the proposed bridge and a permanent drainage system to prevent the town from being repeatedly inundated during heavy rainfall.