Breached Highway disrupts communication

Expressbuzz, Sept 30, 2008

BHAWANIPATNA: As the waters of the rivers Tel, Udanti, Hati, Rahul, Utei and Ret have begun receding, the devastation that Kalahandi faced due to the recent floods, is gradually emerging.

Many areas still remain cut off from the mainstream and road connection is yet to be restored. Damage to the State highway-16 speaks volumes about the fury of the floods. A 200-metre breach has occurred in the approach road of the Tel at Turkel. But even after a fortnight of the floods, the breach is yet to be repaired. Communication from Bhawanipatna to Nuapada district and Chhattisgarh has been disrupted due to the breach.

Besides, there has been extensive damage to standing crops in agricultural fields adjacent to river banks.

As per preliminary assessment of Agriculture Department, about 16,000 hectares of paddy field has been sandcast. Official figures have put the death roll in the floods at five. Besides, 781 villages of the district and 5,000 houses have been damaged. Of the five, bodies of two have been found and three are yet to be recovered.

District Collector R. Santh Gopalan said this is one of the worst calamities that has hit Kalahandi. He further said that steps are being initiated to repair all damaged bridges and roads in two months. The district administration has sought Rs 72.25 crore from the State Government for repair and restoration works. Field survey is on for providing compensation to sandcast fields.