Bhubaneswar: Heavy to very heavy rain over the last few days has thrown life out of gear in several parts of Odisha snapping connectivity due to submergence of roads and bridges and landslides in many places.
While major roads in state capital Bhubaneswar were inundated with water following heavy downpour on Tuesday, severely affected districts included Malkangiri, Koraput, Sundargarh, Balasore.
In Bhubaneswar, several roads witnessed severe traffic congestion due to waterlogging, leaving vehicles, including ambulances, stuck for hours and causing long queues. Commuters has a tough time while proceeding to their destinations.
Water inundated roads that had recently been opened for traffic. At Infocity Square, the gridlock was particularly severe, with vehicles taking nearly 30 minutes to cover just one km. Heavy traffic in Jaydev Vihar created a chaotic situation as rain continued throughout the day. From Jaydev Vihar to Patia, the congestion caused severe disruption in vehicular movement.
Sources said Malkangiri district witnessed severe disruption in normal life due to incessant rain, which submerged major roads and bridges, cutting off connectivity with neighbouring states
Kankarakonda bridge in the district came under water again due to continuous rain, disrupting traffic on National Highway 326. Water is flowing 4-5 feet high over the bridge, locals said.
Vehicular movement between Malkangiri and Kalimela came to a grinding halt, with many vehicles stranded on both sides of the bridge.
Buses plying from Hyderabad to various districts of the state are also stuck at Kankarakonda, causing inconvenience to passengers. The situation is likely to remain tense until the water level recedes and the bridge becomes passable again.
In Koraput, heavy downpour triggered landslides along Rangapani road under Tentulipadar Gram Panchayat under Narayanapatna block in the district. Low-lying villages in the area have been severely affected.
Two villages – Tala Rangapani and Upar Rangamani – have been cut off from the rest of the state completely. Mudslides have been reported in the area connecting Kukudasil and Rangapani.
The two-wheelers are commuting in the area with great difficulty, but the four-wheelers have no chance of crossing the roads. As a result, a large number of vehicles are stranded on the road.
In Sundargarh district, at least five villages have been marooned after floodwaters submerged the Sarasara and Patang bridges near Balang in Bonai. With roads cut off, residents are unable to access schools, hospitals, or government offices. Locals say children have missed classes for days, and emergency medical access has become critical, with no vehicles able to cross the submerged bridges.
Residents expressed fear of crossing the bridge due to the strong current, recalling incidents from past floods where lives were lost.
With heavy to very heavy rainfall persisting, officials are monitoring rising water levels, but the restoration of road connectivity and delivery of relief services remain major challenges.
In Balasore district, the situation was equally chaotic. The district headquarters town of Balasore encountered heavy waterlogging on Tuesday after overnight rainfall inundated several parts, crippling normal life and leaving residents in distress.
As per information, rainwater entered the Balasore District Headquarters Hospital (DHH) as well as several shops, forcing patients and traders to struggle amid the downpour. The city’s drainage system, clogged with silt and garbage, failed to cope with the excess water, worsening the situation.
Low-lying areas bore the brunt of the rainfall, with streets in T Polo, Nua Sahi, and Telanga Sahi submerged under nearly two feet of water. Aadar Bazaar and Congress Gali were also badly affected, as water gushed into houses and business establishments.