Sambalpur: The situation is tense after the opening of 40 gates in Hirakud Dam

Sambalpur: After the opening of 40 gates of Hirakud, the situation in Sambalpur city has started to deteriorate. An artificial flood has been created by the backwaters entering the city. Even though the rains have stopped for 2 days now, the effect of Hirakud has started falling in the city of Sambalpur. People are trapped in water in various parts of the city. Many have been relocated by the Sambalpur Metropolitan Corporation (SMC).

The city’s drainage system has been completely blocked due to fear of water entering the city. Pumps are being installed at various places to drain the water. As the drains are blocked, the water inside the city cannot go to the river. Due to which many areas like Hirakud Colony are submerged in back water. SMC Commissioner Pradeep Kumar Sahu said that a total of 1440 people were evacuated by Wednesday evening. People have been evacuated from areas like Hirakud Colony, Commissioner’s Colony, Mandalia, Chandan nagar, Talbhatapada, Putibandh, Charbhati, Gwalapada, Govindtola etc. He said that all kinds of arrangements have been made for food, drink and accommodation for the people. On the other hand, it has been said that measures will be taken after seeing the situation now that the situation is under control.

Broken house
Some houses were destroyed in Talbhatapada due to the flood, while many houses were also destroyed in Hirakud Colony. Hari Yadav, Durga Kumbhar, Bhagwati Luha, Satya Bagh, Padma Chatrapal, Subhash Kumbhar, Bablu Vivar, Anjali Nag of Talbhatpada have been alleged of their houses broken. They have been demanded to be compensated by the administration.

Heavy rain from Thursday, yellow warning continues
Heavy to very heavy rain will occur in most districts of Western Odisha including Sambalpur from Thursday. In this regard, regional weather center Bhubaneswar has issued a yellow warning to Sambalpur district, Sundergarh, Devagarh, Jharsuguda and other districts. Heavy to very heavy rains are expected in Sambalpur from Thursday to Saturday, and the flood situation is likely to worsen.

Sambalpur-Sonepur road is not normal
Floodwaters also gushed over the Malati Jor Pole on Wednesday. Due to which even the Sambalpur-Sonepur road was not normal.

Distribution of relief by various institutions
The flood waters of the river have already started entering different parts of the city. While many people have been evacuated, many are still under water. While the administration has provided food, drink and accommodation to the people, various institutions have also come forward. The distribution of relief has now started from various institutions.

Demand for compensation increasing
As no information has been given by the district administration or the SMC about the closure of the drain, the people whose houses are submerged in water are suffering from various problems. Although the food and accommodation is being provided by SMC, the goods and food items worth thousands of rupees in their house were destroyed. Then the things left at home are destroyed. Their claim for compensation is now increasing. The residents of the slum questioned why they were not informed in advance and demanded compensation for the damaged goods.