Heavy rain damages Sambalpur bridge, cuts off three villages

Heavy rain on 01 August 2026 at 11:43 IST damaged the bridge over the Katanga nullaha on the Pathuria-Badamal road in Ghosaramal panchayat, Naktideul block, Sambalpur district, causing its side wall to cave in and leaving large craters that halted vehicular movement. Photographs show water gushing over the damaged structure. The overflow of floodwater has turned a recurring problem during continuous rainfall, yet no permanent solution has been implemented despite repeated demands from locals. The disruption cut off road access to Brahmani, Badamal and Pandirishila villages, forcing residents to travel on foot.

Which villages are cut off by the damaged bridge?

The bridge serves Brahmani, Badamal and Pandirishila villages, all located within Ghosaramal panchayat of Naktideul block in Sambalpur district, Odisha. Spanning the Katanga nullaha on the Pathuria-Badamal road, the structure is the sole vehicular link for these three habitations. With the side wall collapsed and craters formed across the deck, vehicles cannot cross. Residents now rely on improvised footpaths to reach markets, schools, health centres and neighboring towns. The isolation affects daily chores, delays medical emergencies and interrupts children’s education, as they must walk considerable distances to attend school or reach a clinic. Although locals can still walk across the remnants of the bridge, the lack of a safe passage for motorised transport has intensified their hardship, especially during the monsoon season when rain persists.

What are residents saying about the impact?

Erica Kujur, a resident of one of the affected villages, described the situation: “Whenever it rains continuously, water flows over the bridge, and now it has been damaged. No vehicle can reach our village. During medical emergencies, we have no option, and our children are also unable to travel to school. We can somehow walk across, but vehicles cannot pass.” Another villager, Meena Sakuntala Lakra, echoed the frustration, saying, “Every year, continuous rain causes water to flow over this bridge. We have repeatedly informed the administration, but nothing has changed. We want a new bridge to be constructed so that this problem does not return every monsoon.” Residents highlighted that the issue is not new; they have raised concerns with local officials for several years, yet the administration has only carried out temporary fixes that fail to withstand the floodwaters. The repeated damage forces families to rely on walking, limiting access to essential services.

What solution are locals demanding?

Community members said the latest breach has once again exposed the poor connectivity in the area. With three villages cut off and everyday movement disrupted, locals have urged the administration to construct a permanent bridge instead of relying on temporary repairs. They argue that only a lasting engineering solution, capable of withstanding the monsoon floodwaters of the Katanga nullaha, can prevent the same crisis from recurring each year. The call for a new bridge reflects a broader demand for resilient infrastructure that ensures year‑round access to markets, schools and health facilities for Brahmani, Badamal and Pandirishila.

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