Malkangiri, Odisha : Relentless rainfall across southern Odisha has severely disrupted daily life, with Malkangiri district facing the worst impact. On Friday, the MV-96 bridge on National Highway-326 (NH-326) was completely submerged under floodwaters, snapping road connectivity in the region.
According to officials, 3 to 4 feet of water flowed over the bridge, forcing a complete halt in vehicular movement between Malkangiri, Motu, and Jaipur.
The submerged bridge lies on a crucial stretch of NH-326, which links Odisha with Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. The flooding has disrupted not only local traffic but also interstate movement of goods and passengers. Passenger buses, trucks carrying essential supplies, and several private vehicles have remained stranded since Friday evening.
Malkangiri, known as a remote and border district, is already difficult to access. With road connectivity cut off, there is growing concern over the supply of milk, vegetables, medicines, and ration. Residents fear shortages if the situation persists.
The local administration has yet to announce any concrete alternative routes. However, officials have appealed to residents to remain cautious and move to safer locations as heavy rainfall continues to lash the region.
Authorities are monitoring the situation closely, and restoration of traffic on NH-326 will only be possible once floodwaters recede.
