Aradi: An embankment of river Baitarani near Sathibankuda under Chandbali block of Bhadrak district again caved in Friday.
A 100-ft crack has developed there while earth has caved in at some places. People in four panchayats have expressed concern over the development.
The repair work of the embankment had lagged behind due to a dispute between a contractor and the villagers well before the onset of monsoon. Every year, locals are fearful of breaches in the embankment during the monsoon.
It is alleged that sand mining from the riverbed has led to embankments caving in. Truckloads of sand are being excavated and transported to various areas from the riverbed on a daily basis.
In the past, contractors used to put up poles and stack sand sacks along the embankment as a safety measure. Locals said there is a need for good quality repair of the embankment to avoid chances of breach, but their demand has always been ignored.
In the event of breach, scores of villages in Olaga, Sundarpur, Nandapur and Aradi panchayats are likely to face the fury of floods.
Friday, a contractor tried to plug the crack with soil.
PNN
