Bhawanipatna: Vast areas of agricultural land and houses were submerged as water flooded several parts of Kalampur block in Odisha’s Kalahandi district following a breach in the Indravati Right canal.
The canal embankment breach which occurred in the wee hours of Monday is said to be 20-feet in length and gradually increasing as the water gushes through it, inundating vast areas. As per preliminary reports, houses in Deypur village under Kalampur block were submerged with canal water following the breach. The residents were rescued by volunteers.
Sources said at least 5-feet water high was flowing over the farmlands and streets of Deypur village and its surrounding areas. Panic gripped the villagers following the incident.
A villager said that people were sleeping when the water entered their houses all of a sudden. They were rescued and shifted to safe places.
Local officials rushed to the site and steps were initiated for repair of the breached embankment.
Kalampur BDO Vijay Kumar Madangi said the departments and authorities concerned have been informed about the breach and steps taken for immediate repair.
It will take some time for the water to recede, while some families have suffered losses due to the breach and the administration has made arrangements to provide them cooked food, he said.
Similarly, loss caused to standing crops will be estimated for appropriate steps.