Chandbali: Cracks developed on a 15-ft stretch of an embankment along river Baitarani near Sathibankuda under Chandbali block in Bhadrak district Wednesday, triggering panic among the riparian villagers.
While the threat of flood still looms in many parts of the district due to a rise in water level of Baitarani due to heavy train triggered by a low pressure in the Bay of Bengal, the development of cracks on the embankment has compounded the woes of the residents.
Even as truckloads of sand were put in the embankment, the sand drained down in the cracks due to rain, locals said, adding as many as three cracks have been spotted on the embankment.
Apprehending collapse of the embankment, the locals have urged the administration to pack more sand on the structure. Moreover, many portions of the stretch have sunk due to excess rain.
The embankment had already weakened and was on the verge of collapse due to rampant sand lifting from the riverbed and plying of sand-laden tractors on the embankment, a local said, adding the rise in water level has further weakened it.
After getting information, locals stopped the movement of heavy vehicles on the embankment. The local tehsildar and revenue officials visited the spot and took stock of the situation. The officials also imposed restrictions on vehicular movement.
Residents of Sathibankuda, Amrutamanohi, Bodak, Olaga, Sundarpur, Kuleipada, Champasahi, Paradia, Nandapur, Bartal, Bankamuhan, Santara, Aradi, and Muan demanded for immediate repair of the embankment.
If the embankment collapses, then at least 20 villages of three panchayats will suffer. Last year, a crack of 100-feet had developed on the embankment. However, it was repaired by the administration.
Locals alleged substandard repair work was the reason for this development.
Baitarani had swollen after 135 mm rainfall was recorded in the area. In the absence of drainage channels, low lying areas in Basudevpur and Chandbali were flooded. Village roads and culverts were also damaged.
Many farmers were affected as their agriculture fields were inundated by water.
PNN
