Bhubaneswar: With Bhubaneswar receiving highest August rainfall in 71 years on Tuesday, people reeled under worst waterlogging amid fear of outbreak of water-borne diseases.
According to the India Meteorological Department, the city recorded 259.2 mm rainfall in the past 24 hours. This is the highest one-day rainfall recorded in the month since 1951. It broke the previous record of 254.2 mm on August 20, 1997.
While the open spaces in the city presented a look of flood, almost all main roads submerged under knee-deep rainwater in several areas. Prominent localities in the city including Chandrasekarpur, Nayapalli, Rasulgarh, Acharya Vihar, Old Town and others bore the brunt of the intense rainfall that has been continuing since Monday.
With natural drains getting choked by unplanned structures coming on those, the rainwater has accumulated in these areas. The residents apprehended that if the rain continues for another day, the rainwater along with the polluted drain water would enter their houses.
Bhubaneswar mayor Sulochana Das visited different areas to take stock of the waterlogging problem faced by the people. Speaking to media persons during the visit, she said the city received very high amount of rainfall which was like cloudburst.
“We have been visiting door-to-door in low-lying areas where the rainwater has entered the houses and enquiring about their condition. Wherever necessary we have extended necessary help. In Aiginia, rainwater of 6 feet has entered the houses,” she said.
On the complaint of people regarding repair of drains during the summer, she said in most cases, the natural drains have been encroached. “When the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) wanted to demolish those structure, their owners obtained stay order from the court. The government has been trying to acquire those lands by offering more than the market value. I appeal to the people to cooperate with us in this time of natural disaster and help in restoring normal life,” she added.
Meanwhile, the IMD has forecast more rain in Bhubaneswar in next 3 hours. It said moderate rain and thundershower with lightning and one or two intense/heavy spell of rain is likely in Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Balangir, Sonepur, Boudh, Nayagarh, Kalahandi, Khurda (including Bhubaneswar), and Puri.
It has warned of waterlogging in low lying area, occasionally poor visibility and traffic disruption in urban areas and advised the people to avoid movement during the rain.
