Two cracks have formed in the Kani river embankment in Jajpur, Odisha.
Odisha: The flood crisis in Jajpur district is worsening. Large cracks have appeared in two embankments of the Kani River, a tributary of the Baitarani River, in the Kantapada area of the Dasharathpur block, causing water to spread into the surrounding areas. The breach has flooded fields, raising concerns among farmers and local residents.
According to local reports, the first breach in the Kani River embankment is approximately 70 feet wide, while the second is estimated to be 50 feet wide. Both cracks are located approximately 150 feet apart. The impact of the breach is being felt most acutely in the surrounding agricultural fields, where large amounts of floodwater have entered.
Floodwater spreads into fields, risking crop damage
After the breach in the embankment, river water began rapidly spreading into the surrounding areas. Fields have been submerged in many areas, leading to the possibility of significant losses for farmers.
Floodwaters have reached agricultural areas in several panchayats, including Malikapur, Duduranta, Shushua, Mangalpur, and Kanikapada. A large number of people in these areas depend on agriculture. Floodwaters in the fields are threatening paddy and other crops.
Locals say that if the embankment is not repaired soon and the river level continues to rise, the situation could worsen.
Water enters low-lying areas, villagers worried
Due to the breach in the embankment, floodwaters have entered some nearby low-lying areas. Villagers have demanded immediate action from the administration.
People say that the continued rise in water could pose a threat to homes and public places. Villagers have appealed to the administration to initiate relief work and immediately repair vulnerable areas.
The activities of administrative teams in the flood-affected areas are also being monitored. Local officials have been instructed to assess the situation and take necessary steps.
The collapse of a kilometer of embankment has increased the danger.
Villagers’ concerns increased further when reports emerged that approximately one kilometer of the embankment between Malikapur and Kantapada had collapsed.
According to locals, if the river’s water level rises further, this weakened section could also collapse, causing floodwaters to spread over a large area.
Considering the weakened portion of the embankment, villagers have demanded that repair work begin as soon as possible. They say that if timely action is not taken, the extent of the damage could increase.
Repair of the embankment that broke last year remains incomplete.
Villagers have also raised the issue of the incomplete repair of the embankment that broke last year in the Gunthunipada area of Kayan Panchayat on the Baitarani River.
It is reported that approximately 500 meters of the embankment collapsed there last year. Although repair work was initiated, it has not yet been fully completed.
Locals allege that if the embankment damaged last year had been fully repaired in a timely manner, the current situation could have been largely controlled.
Villagers have demanded that the administration investigate both old and new weak points and find a permanent solution.
A Major Challenge Facing the Administration
It is normal for river water levels to rise during the monsoon in Jajpur district, but weak embankments increase the risk of flooding.
Cracks in the Kani River embankment have posed a major challenge for the administration. The priority now is to close the breached points as quickly as possible and provide relief to the affected areas.
Experts believe that periodic inspections and robust construction of river embankments are essential to avoid such problems during the rainy season.
Villagers Demand Immediate Action
People in the affected areas have demanded that the administration begin repair work as soon as possible with the help of machinery and personnel. Additionally, relief and rescue arrangements should be made in the flooded areas.
Villagers say that the damage to agricultural land should be assessed and assistance should be provided to the affected farmers.
Currently, due to the cracks in the Kani River embankment, a heightened alert has been imposed throughout the area. The administration is monitoring the situation and preparing to take necessary steps to prevent any major disaster.
