Malkangiri/Koraput: Incessant rain triggered by a low-pressure has thrown life out of gear in southern Odisha disrupting road connectivity following submergence of vast areas and landslides. Malkangiri and Koraput districts were among the worst hit.
As per information, the MV-96 bridge on National Highway-326 was submerged under four feet of water, snapping vehicular movement between Malkangiri, Motu, and Jeypore. Interstate movement to Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh was severely affected.
Locals said a large number of vehicles, including passenger buses and trucks carrying essential goods, have been stranded since Friday as the highway remained submerged with water following heavy downpour.
The disruption has raised concerns over the supply of daily necessities in the district, which is already vulnerable due to its remote location and difficult terrain.
Similar was the situation in Koraput district. Landslides triggered by incessant rain blocked the Baijaghati-Kerenga hill roads, disrupting connectivity between Damanjodi and Narayanpatna areas.
Locals said the landslide occurred early on Saturday, and since then, no vehicles have been able to pass through.
Passengers, including office-goers and traders, faced severe inconvenience as alternative routes are either too long or unsafe due to the hilly terrain.
With mounds of mud and debris covering the road, vehicular movement in the hilly region has come to a standstill, leaving local commuters stranded. District authorities said clearance work is underway, though intermittent rain is slowing down the process.
Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has stated that widespread heavy rain is likely to continue across the state under the influence of the low-pressure system.
