Bhabanipatana: Heavy rain over the past two days has caused rivers and creeks to swell in Kalahandi district, with flood conditions reported in the Hati and Tel rivers Monday. The district emergency office said 1,494 mm of rain was recorded across the district during the past two days.
Floodwaters have submerged hundreds of acres of farmland and several roads in villages along the rivers. In Junagada block, floodwaters from the Hati river have inundated more than 1,000 acres of farmlands in Bagadungari, Michagaon, Masigaon, Sahajkana, Talamala, Baladiamal, Palas, Kuruguda, Bhainriguda, Murlapadar, Chingudisara, Panigaon, Makarashola, Chichaiguda, Banijara, Purunasara, Kotengaon, Chilaguda, Dasigaon, Bodel, Bhejipadar and Jamunabahal, among other villages.
The flooding has raised concerns about damage to paddy crops as farmers in the affected areas had recently planted paddy after borrowing money for cultivation. The inundation has left them worried about crop losses and mounting debts.
Meanwhile, about five feet of water was flowing over the Kuruguda-Murlapadar road in Junagada block, bringing traffic to a complete halt. The road connects three panchayats in Junagada block as well as Golamunda block. People travel by bus through the route every day to Nuapada and Balangir districts.
Connectivity has also been disrupted on the Michagaon-Bagadungari and Talmala-Junagada roads.
A similar situation has been reported along the Tel river, where flooding began Monday morning. Six farmers from Karli village under Rengasapali panchayat in Golamunda block — Sushant Biswal, Bibhuti Budhia, Uma Budhia, Yudhisthir Budhia, Niranjan Hans and Ghanashyam Budhia had gone to their farmland near the Tel river. However, a sudden rise in the river’s water level left them stranded on a field embankment as they were unable to cross the river.
On being informed, the Golamunda fire services team reached the spot and rescued all six farmers safely with the help of a boat.
Rain continued across Kalahandi Monday, bringing normal activities to a standstill in many areas.