Salepur: Panic gripped the people of Gapinathpur after a major portion of the embankment of Pattamundai main canal collapsed near the village here in Cuttack district submerging acres of farmlands.
A 50-feet wide breach was formed due to erosion of the embankment, leading to flooding in several low lying areas.
The canal is considered an important source of irrigation for the farmers of Cuttack, Jajpur and Kendrapara districts. Around 100 small canals branch out of the Pattamundai canal providing irrigation to several farms, according to locals.
Locals have blamed use of substandard construction materials for the breach. The embankment had collapsed a few years back and was repaired. However, the poor quality repair led to a breach again, the locals alleged.
“Though repairs are being carried out at various points of the embankment, the structure has failed to withstand water pressure due to poor quality work,” a villager said.
Salepur MLA Prakash Chandra Behera and administrative officials reached the spot and took stock of the situation. Villagers confronted Behera about the poor quality of repair work and asked him to get the breach repaired at the earliest.
After hearing the pleas, Behera assured the villagers that the embankment will be repaired within two days.
The legislator directed the block development officer and tehsildar to provide help to the affected farmers after assessing their loss.
PNN
