Rushikulya River Crosses Danger Mark, Flood-Like Situation Grips Ganjam After Cyclone Arnab

The rising water level has severely impacted road connectivity in the district.

The road linking Tankachhai and Hinjilicut has been submerged under nearly three feet of water, while knee-deep floodwater has entered several villages, disrupting normal life.

Sorada block has emerged as one of the worst-hit areas after receiving heavy to extremely heavy rainfall over the past three days.

Villages including Palakatu, Nuagaon, Tatabali, and Suramani have been inundated by the swelling Rushikulya River, cutting off connectivity and causing hardship for residents.

The flood situation has also worsened in Sanakhemundi and Digapahandi due to the swelling of the Ghodahada River.

Water levels reportedly rose around five feet above the Ghodahada bridge near Palaspur, resulting in the closure of the Digapahandi-Aska road, a crucial stretch of NH-326.

Vehicles remain stranded on both sides, leaving commuters stranded.

Police personnel have barricaded vulnerable areas near the bridge and warned the public against crossing flooded stretches.

Meanwhile, the district administration has launched evacuation operations in low-lying areas and shifted residents to safer locations.

Authorities have also urged people to stay away from rivers and avoid unnecessary travel through waterlogged routes.

Cyclone Arnab recently crossed the Andhra Pradesh-Yanam coast with wind speeds of 125-135 kmph, gusting up to 150 kmph.

Although the cyclone weakened into a deep depression while moving toward Chhattisgarh, it continued to dump heavy rainfall across southern Odisha, triggering widespread flooding concerns in Ganjam district.