Kalahandi flooding: Hati and Tel rivers swell after heavy rain

Heavy rainfall over the last two days has caused the Hati and Tel rivers to swell, creating flood conditions across Kalahandi district on Monday. The district emergency office said 1,494 mm of rain was recorded across the district during the past two days. The rising water levels have submerged hundreds of acres of farmland and several roads in villages along the rivers.

In the Junagada block, floodwaters from the Hati river have inundated more than 1,000 acres of farmland. Affected villages include Bagadungari, Michagaon, Masigaon, Sahajkana, Talamala, Baladiamal, Palas, Kuruguda, Bhainriguda, Murlapadar, Chingudisara, Panigaon, Makarashola, Chichaiguda, Banijara, Purunasara, Kotengaon, Chilaguda, Dasigaon, Bodel, Bhejipadar, and Jamunabahal.

Farmers in these inundated areas have expressed concern regarding the potential loss of paddy crops. Many of these farmers had recently planted paddy after borrowing money for cultivation, leading to worries over mounting debts.

How has transport and connectivity been affected?

Flooding has brought traffic to a complete halt on the Kuruguda-Murlapadar road in Junagada block, where approximately five feet of water is flowing. This route connects three panchayats in Junagada block as well as Golamunda block, serving as a daily transit point for buses traveling to Nuapada and Balangir districts. People travel by bus through the route every day to Nuapada and Balangir districts.

Additional road disruptions have been reported on the Michagaon-Bagadungari and Talmala-Junagada roads. The flooding has also affected several other village roads, further limiting movement within the district.

Were there any emergency rescues performed?

Flood conditions were also reported along the Tel river on Monday morning. Six farmers from Karli village, under the Rengasapali panchayat in Golamunda block, became stranded on a field embankment after a sudden rise in the river's water level prevented them from crossing.

The stranded individuals were identified as Sushant Biswal, Bibhuti Budhia, Uma Budhia, Yudhisthir Budhia, Niranjan Hans, and Ghanashyam Budhia. On being informed, the Golamunda fire services team reached the spot and rescued all six farmers safely with the help of a boat.

Rain continued across Kalahandi Monday, bringing normal activities to a standstill in many areas.

Orissa POST – Odisha’s No.1 English Daily

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