Malkangiri:11/9/26: Continuous heavy rainfall triggered by a low-pressure area over the Northwest and Westcentral Bay of Bengal and adjoining coastal areas of south Odisha and north Andhra Pradesh has disrupted normal life in several parts of Odisha’s Malkangiri district. Water levels in low-lying areas have risen, inundating agricultural fields and raising concerns among farmers. Floodwater is also flowing over the Pangam, Poteru and MV-96 bridges, disrupting vehicular movement. Police personnel have been deployed on both sides of the affected bridges and are preventing commuters from approaching the submerged stretches
.Malkangiri block recorded 136 mm of rainfall, while Mathili received 85 mm, Khairput 142 mm, Chitrakonda 192 mm, Korukonda 134 mm, Kalimela 85 mm and Padia 29 mm. Rising rainfall has also pushed up water levels in the district’s major reservoirs. Satiguda Reservoir currently has a water level of 191.25 metres, against its maximum capacity of 192.63 metres. The reservoir had recorded a level of 188.7 metres on August 16, indicating a significant rise.
Similarly, the Balimela Reservoir currently holds around 1,477.2 feet of water, against its maximum capacity of 1,516 feet. The water level stood at 1,475.6 feet on August 13 and had fallen to 1,467 feet on August 20 before rising again amid the recent heavy rainfall.
Several low-lying agricultural areas have been submerged, particularly in the Poteru region, affecting farming activities. Farmers are worried that prolonged waterlogging could damage standing crops.