Flash flood in Kalahandi

Expressbuzz, July 15, 2009

BHAWANIPATNA: Kalahandi witnessed the first flash flood of the season with incessant rains lashing the district. The Hati river is in spate submerging paddy fields along its banks in Kalampur and Junagarh blocks.

Floodwater of the river is flowing over its bridge at Junagarh disrupting road communication on NH-201. Vehicles are stranded on both sides of the bridge.

Heavy rains have been reported throughout Kalahandi district during last 24 hours. Thuamul Rampur recorded 315 mm rainfall, followed by 260 mm at M. Rampur, 211 mm at Narla, 178 mm at Karlamunda, 176 mm at Kalampur, 175 mm at Jaipatna, 137 mm at Kesinga, 107 mm at Lanjigarh, 106 mm at Junagarh, 105 mm at Bhawanipatna, 65 mm at Golamunda, 62 mm at Koksara and 55 mm at Dharamgarh.

After Indravati project was commissioned, surplus water is being discharged into the Hati making it a perennial river.

So there is flash flood when heavy rains lash the catchments of the Hati and the Tel rivers.

According to a survey by the district Administration, the district experienced floods 13 times between 2001 and 2007.

The flood was severe nine times affecting up to 70 per cent croplands while four times it was mild affecting up to 50 per cent croplands.