Kendrapada: Incessant rain over the last 5 days has caused widespread waterlogging across Kendrapada and Jagatsinghpur districts. Waterlogging has been reported from Pattamundai, Aul, Rajnagar, Rajkanika and Mahakalapada in Kendrapada district, and Paradip, Kujang, Balikuda and Tirtol in Jagatsinghpur district, submerging several low-lying villages.Paradip port town and its surrounding areas bore the brunt of the rainfall. Roads were submerged under knee-deep water, forcing pedestrians and motorists to wade through flooded streets. Water entered several houses in both districts, while slum dwellers in Paradip were among the worst affected. Many families were forced to leave their waterlogged huts and take shelter in nearby buildings, said local resident Sarat Rout.The downpour also exposed the poor civic infrastructure in Paradipgada, Atharabanki and nearby areas. Broken roads, clogged drains and non-functional sewage systems worsened the situation, while potholes turned into large craters, causing severe traffic congestion. “It is difficult to use the roads after the rain,” said Paresh Rout of Paradipgada.Flood-like conditions prevailed in Paradipgada, Atharabanki, Musadiha, Dalesahi, Balisahi, Lokanathapada and Joribala, where nearly 9,000 people were affected. Public transport services were disrupted, with only a few buses, trucks, vans and autorickshaws operating. Autorickshaw and cycle-rickshaw operators charged several times the usual fare due to the difficult road conditions, while boat services in riverside villages remained suspended because of inclement weather.Social activists alleged that rampant encroachment of wetlands and water bodies has worsened the waterlogging problem. Amarabar Biswal of Kendrapada and Jagannath Acharya of Pattamundai claimed that illegal conversion of wetlands, ponds and natural water channels into homestead land, allegedly in connivance of some revenue officials, has obstructed natural drainage and intensified flooding in the affected areas.Meanwhile, hundreds of fishing vessels remained anchored at Paradip fishing harbour and at the jetties in Kharinashi, Jamboo, Kajalapatia, Bahakuda and Talachua due to rough sea conditions. The district administration advised fishermen not to venture into the sea until weather conditions improve, said additional district magistrate of Paradip Niranjan Behera.
A waterlogged house at Bali Sahi on the outskirts of Paradip
