NH Turns Into River As Heavy Rain Trigger Flood-Like Situation In Odisha’s Malkangiri

Malkangiri: Incessant rain over the last two days has caused a flood-like situation in southern Odisha’s Malkangiri district with large parts cut off due to water logging and submersion of roads.

According to sources, floodwater was flowing at a height of 2-3 feet on the culvert over Pangam river of National Highway 326, connecting Malkangiri with Jaipur, and also over almost all small and big bridges at Kankurukonda, Poteru, Badili, MV-7, MV-90 and MV-96 bridges between Malkangiri and Motu. Road communication from the district headquarters town of Malkangiri to Kalimela, Motu and Jaipur has been cut off. Transportation between Malkangiri and Koraput districts has also been completely severed with the national highway submerged under floodwater.

As a result, hundreds of vehicles, including those carrying essential commodities, are stranded across the district.

People are trapped at homes with floodwater rising to 5-6 feet in some locations. Around 3 feet of water was reportedly flowing on NH 326 from Malkangiri police station to Ram temple and Malkangiri SP Office. Water also entered people’s shops and houses and people were seen seeking refuge on the upper floors of the Poteru police station.

A landslide near the Valve House Chhak has also blocked a main road, cutting off communication between Chitrakonda block, Malkangiri, Jeypore and neighbouring Andhra Pradesh.

In Koraput, 25 villagers were evacuated from Digapur panchayat on Sunday following flash floods triggered by incessant rainfall since Saturday. Flash floods have also hit communication between Kundra and Digapur, with a portion of the Digapur-Ghasarada road submerged. A culvert near Birighat was also washed away, disrupting traffic in the area.

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