Jharsuguda : After four consecutive days of relentless rainfall, Jharsuguda district has suffered extensive damage, prompting immediate administrative action. MLA Tankadhar Tripathy on Sunday chaired a high-level review meeting at the District Collector’s office to assess the scale of destruction and chart out an urgent response plan.
The meeting, attended by top officials including District Magistrate Aboli Sunil Narwane and SP Smith Parmar, focused on damage assessment, relief distribution, and rapid restoration of critical infrastructure. Representatives from the National Highways Authority, Public Works Department (PWD), and Rural Development Department were also present.
According to reports presented during the meeting, four blocks within the Jharsuguda Assembly constituency have been severely impacted. Laikera block alone has seen the collapse of six embankments and significant damage to several roads and bridges. In Kirmira block, 19 embankments have breached, leaving large tracts of farmland inundated and farmers facing immense losses.
In the municipal area, the embankment near the Purunabasti one of the oldest in the region also gave way, leading to the destruction of standing crops.
MLA Tripathy emphasized the government’s readiness to respond swiftly. By this evening, embankments will be temporarily restored using sandbags and soil, and efforts are underway to ensure washed-away roads become operational by Tuesday morning, he said.
The damaged roads will be reconstructed in a phased manner. Tripathy also stated that he had discussed the situation with the Revenue Minister, Panchayati Raj Minister, and the Minister for Public Works and Law, all of whom assured their support.
In areas along National Highway-49, two locations where construction work is ongoing have seen protective fencing collapse and ash spillage. The Highways Department has been instructed to immediately fill these areas with soil and restore safety barriers. Additionally, compensation will be provided to farmers whose fields have been covered with ash or sand.
MLA Tripathy assured that all families who have lost their homes in the flooding will receive fair compensation. The state government and the district administration stand firmly with the people of Jharsuguda in this time of crisis,he said.
