Sambalpur: Incessant rain during the past couple of days has thrown normal life out of gear in Sambalpur town, submerging several low-lying areas and leaving residents to cope with water entering homes and shops.
Though no loss of life or injuries has been reported, many households and business establishments suffered damage due to inundation.
Localities like SIT Colony, Mudipada, Deulabandha, JMJ Hospital, NH-53 and adjoining service road near Anuguliapada, Panchgachhia, Bareipali, Budharaja, Pradhanpada, Lakshmi Talkies, Putibandha, Gumbesingha, Hirakud Colony, Charbati, Saraswat Colony, Chandan Nagar, and parts of Bada Bazaar were badly affected due to severe waterlogging.
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Deulabandha residential area in Mudipada was completely submerged after the sluice gate of Dhobijora creek and the railway drain at Balibandha remained clogged for several hours, causing sewage water to backflow into homes.
While rain continued overnight, showers subsided briefly around 9:30 am Tuesday, allowing water to drain naturally from some pockets. Meanwhile, with rising water levels in the Hirakud reservoir, 16 gates were opened to release excess water into the Mahanadi system.
As a result, drainage channels in Chandan Nagar, Mandalia Jhupudipada, Narasingh Mandir Saheb Bangla area, Kumarapada, Housing Board Colony and Dashamati Colony failed to discharge water into the Mahanadi, leading to a flood-like situation in these areas.
However, waterlogging in some areas subsided after Sambalpur Municipal Corporation enforcement officer Sushant Singh reached Balibandha, and the sluice gate at Dhobijora was opened.
Similarly, garbage was removed from a main drain at Charbati near Commissioner Colony, helping the stormwater to recede.
Water had to be pumped out in Bada Bazaar, Mandalia Narasingh Temple and Saraswat Colony.
Sambalpur Collector Siddheshwar Baliram Bondar Wednesday inspected several waterlogged areas in the city.
Accompanied by Municipal Commissioner Rohan Khatri and other officials, the Collector visited Housing Board Colony, Gopalmal, Shantinagar, Phatak Malipada, Putibandha and other localities.
He directed authorities to take all necessary measures to ensure the safety of residents and their properties. Bondar said a continuous downpour for about seven to eight hours led to waterlogging in several parts of the city as the rainwater could not be drained out immediately.
Sambalpur city recorded 180mm rainfall, Dhankauda block 170 mm and Rengali 250 mm. The torrential rain caused water to enter houses in many areas. However, once the rain subsided, the water receded from many places.
The Municipal Corporation officials, along with Fire Services personnel, carried out rescue operations in the affected areas.
Around 120 people were evacuated and shifted to relief shelters, where they were provided with dry and cooked food, drinking water and other essential supplies.
The Collector said officials on duty have been instructed to maintain a round-the-clock vigil on the situation.
PNN