Flash flood has wrought havoc in Kalyansinghpur block of Odisha’s Rayagada

Bhubaneswar: Flash flood has wrought havoc in Kalyansinghpur block of Odisha’s Rayagada district with the remote block lying cut off from the civilized world.

Watery upsurge has triggered large-scale damage in the predominantly tribals-inhabited block with flood water washing away as many as four river bridges. Rail connectivity to the block was disrupted following the cave-in of the Tehruballi-Singipur rail bridge.

Reports of 22 concrete houses collapsing in Kalyansighpur Block Township have been received so far. The ground-level situation in the marooned villages is yet to arrive at the district headquarters due to complete communication breakdown.  

As the Nagabali river and Kalyan rivulet are in spate with water level rising every hour, situation has turned grim with administration finding it tough to make its way to flooded areas.

The entire block has come under vast sheet of water. Communication network is lying cut off with the district headquarters. The mobile service network has suffered breakdown. The flooded has wrought devastation in large areas. However the extent of damage and loss of life and property are yet to be received due to lack of communication, said an official of Rayagada district administration.

ODRAF teams from Koraput district headquarters, Odisha fire service personnel are trying to venture into to the cut off villages. However they have failed in their bid due to the strong current in the flooded waters. The incessant rain has aggravated the situation and is affecting the relief and rescue operation, said officials.

There are reports of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel based in various camps to counter the Maoists’ threat coming to the aid of the distressed people in flooded villages.

Meanwhile Odisha government has sought the assistance of army and air force to tackle the grim flood situation.