Railway drainage failure worsens city waterlogging; Administration steps up rescue and relief operations
Jharsuguda : Continuous heavy rainfall over the past five days culminated in widespread flooding across Jharsuguda district on Saturday night, leading to severe waterlogging and isolating several villages from the district headquarters.
Areas such as Katikela, Bhurkamunda, and Bhagipali in the Jharsuguda Sadar Block have been completely cut off from the main town after rising waters from the Bhagipali Nala submerged connecting routes. Villagers have been forced to take a longer 30 km detour via Kolabira to access essential services. Responding to the crisis, the local Tehsildar Kumbhar has dispatched a team to assess the situation and provide necessary assistance.
In Jharsuguda city, the absence of a proper drainage system near the old bus stand where the railway department is currently undertaking construction work led to significant water accumulation on the main roads. On Sunday morning, key roads were submerged, rendering them impassable. Frustrated residents blocked traffic by tying ropes across the flooded roads to prevent accidents and further chaos.
Jharsuguda SDPO Umashankar Singh and Town Police Station IIC Ranjan Bariha rushed to the spot and tried to assure the public, but the persistent water levels continued to hinder movement.
Several low-lying urban localities including Mangal Bazar, Purna Basti, and Chowki Pada were severely affected. Jharsuguda Tehsildar Sadakar Kumbhar and Municipal Council EO Manas Ranjan Mallick conducted field visits to monitor the flood situation and coordinate relief measures.
In Brajrajnagar, heavy downpours prompted the evacuation of residents to safer areas, with District Magistrate Aboli Sunil Narwane personally overseeing relief efforts. Similarly, in Laikera Block, roads were washed away, cutting off inter-village communication. Emergency arrangements have been made to transport people to higher ground and supply them with food and drinking water.
Jharsuguda MLA Tankadhar Tripathy also visited several affected areas to take stock of the ground realities and instructed officials to expedite relief operations.
As rainfall continues, the district administration remains on high alert, with teams deployed across vulnerable zones to mitigate the impact and ensure the safety of residents.
