Cyclone Arnab lets loose flood fury in Odisha’s Ganjam and Gajapati districts

BERHAMPUR: Torrential rain and flash floods triggered by have affected around 42,500 people in Ganjam district, leaving 22 villages marooned, inundating houses, washing away roads and disrupting rail services. The situation was equally concerning in Gajapati, where rising waters of Vamsadhara and Mahendratanaya rivers inundated several low-lying villages.

In Ganjam, floods have affected 208 gram panchayats across 22 blocks and 56 wards in 18 urban local bodies. While 22 villages remained marooned, efforts were underway to evacuate stranded residents, including by helicopter. Heavy cloud however, was delaying aerial rescue operations.

A total of 52 ODRAF teams, five NDRF teams and 45 fire service teams have been deployed for rescue operations. Sixteen government and 25 private boats were also pressed into service. In a major rescue operation, a Indian Coast Guard helicopter reached Dharakote and evacuated six stranded people on Thursday. The airlift operation was continuing, officials said, as floodwaters and disrupted road connectivity hampered access to affected areas.The Rushikulya river remained in spate following extremely heavy rainfall over the past three days, with Sorada emerging as one of the worst-hit areas. Floodwater entered several villages, including Palakatu, Nuagaon, Tatabali and Suramani. At Purushottampur, the river was flowing at 19 metre against the danger mark of 17 metre. At Aska, the river was also approaching the danger level.

A section of the Rushikulya embankment near Goba breached following continuous rainfall and rising water levels, allowing floodwater to enter adjoining areas. Water also flowed over Barang-Badamadhapur road, raising fears of further inundation.In view of the continuing rainfall and flood situation, the Ganjam administration extended the closure of all anganwadi centres, schools, colleges and other educational institutions until October 31.

Similarly in Gajapati, Vamsadhara river breached its banks after more than 36 hours of incessant rain triggered by the cyclone, inundating several low-lying villages in Kashinagar.The rising water of Mahendratanaya river also entered several villages in Goshani, and Rayagada blocks, leaving residents stranded. Baghasala was one of the worst-hit villages affected by the floods from the river.

Paralakhemundi MLA Rupesh Kumar Panigrahi visited several flood-affected villages in Goshani block to assess the situation. The Gajapati administration has also extended closure of schools in the district until October 31.