Dhamnagar: Due to heavy rain triggered by a low pressure, Reba and Kapali rivers were in spate in Dhamnagar area of Bhadrak district while thousands of hectares of farmland were under floodwater, a report said.
Locals alleged that the flood from Reba was man-made as no arrangement was made for drainage of floodwater.
In 2009, a renovation project of Reba was carried out. Thousands of trees along the riverbanks were cut down. The locals had strongly opposed the tree felling and had alleged violation of human rights. They had moved a human rights body against the irrigation department.
Many people had also lost their land in the river renovation project, which later got stuck. Only two sides of the river were dug up. Nothing was done for places which were dug up for sluice gate. The result is that these places acted as breach, facilitating entry of floodwaters in the area.
Now, large tracts of farmland have got submerged under floodwaters at Gadiali, Kalayni, Asurali, Jhardian and Kakudigadia. Roads at some places are under water disrupting communication. Farmlands were affected by floods in Kothar, Asurali, Fatehpur and Dhusuri panchayats.
Farmers alleged the irrigation department has settled the scores on them by creating the man-made flood.
Farmers Satyamurti Behera, Nirakar Panigrahi, Dinabandhu Das and Ganesh Das said paddy saplings they had raised for transplantation were inundated.
Floodwaters from Kapali have been playing havoc in scores of villages in Khaparpada and Katasahi panchayats. Vegetable cultivation has suffered extensive damage by the floods.
River embankment of Kochila sunk near Shailo Lenkasahi two days ago. MLA Muktikant Mandal visited the embankment Sunday and assured the locals that repair work will be carried out and preventive measures taken against possible breach.
PNN
