Post News Network
Koraput, Sept 16: Record rainfall triggered by a low pressure in Bay of Bengal over the last three days has thrown life out of gear in this district, disrupting communication.
Rabindra Muduli of Ghataguda village went missing in river Kernadi while he was fishing Tuesday night. Fire brigade personnel started a search operation. Shiv Shankar Sahoo of Semiliguda block drowned in river Petakana Tuesday.
According to reports, communication between Nandapur-Padua, Semiliguda-Nandapur and Nandapur-Lamataput were completely disrupted due to the deluge. Similarly, communication between Kotpad and Jagadalpur was affected for several hours by floodwater of Suruli and Janra rivers in Kotpad block. Three houses in Pottangi and two in Nandapur blocks collapsed after the heavy rain. A report over loss of lives and properties would be available in three days, district emergency officer Santosh Kumar Satpathy said, adding the administration is well prepared to handle any eventuality.
Meanwhile, the swelling of reservoirs has significantly reduced the threat of low electricity production in the state. According to reports, the water level in Kolab reservoir was 851.81 mt last week which has increased to 853.81 mt Wednesday. Last year, the water level was 855.15 mt in September which is considered normal.
Likewise, water level in Machhkund reservoir has also increased by three metre while it shot up to 632 mt in Indravati reservoir in Nabarangpur district. There would be no scarcity of water for electricity production if the met forecast of another depression September 19 proves correct, experts said.
Meanwhile, the joys of farmers over the rainfall knew no bounds. “The recent rain has increased the moisture content of the soil and we should not face any problem this season,” a farmer Shanu Pangi said. The farmer community is more than happy with the rain coming 15 days after plantation of paddy saplings, another ryot Saraj Sagaria said.
However, the incessant rain brought woes for some people in two panchayats of Dasamantapur block. Several poor families were rendered homeless following the low pressure induced rain. Walls of Parvati Gouda and Lada Saunta collapsed in Khajuriguda under Mujanga panchayat while three families of Jholaguda village under Bikamba panchayat were left shelter-less. However, no casualties were reported in these incidents. The affected families would be given assistance after an assessment of the loss, BDO Sukanta Majhi said.
It is learnt that the district has received 1816.5 mm rains Wednesday. While Koraput block recorded the highest 205 mm, Narayanpatna block received the lowest 62 mm
