Odisha Flood Update / Mahanadi Flood: Jute Fields Inundated in Banki's Bilipada, Maa Bada Bandhiani Temple Submerged in Tigiria

Athagada/Banki, Sep 29: More than 7.54 lakh cusecs of floodwater was flowing through Mundali barrage in Kataka district on Tuesday at the time of filing this report, with the discharge lower than yesterday.

The Mahanadi is witnessing its fourth flood of the season, raising concerns in low-lying areas of Banki. Following heavy rainfall in the upper catchment, the water level in the Mahanadi has been rising.

Banki, Dampada Areas Face Flood Concerns
If the floodwater rises further, four panchayats in Banki block and five panchayats in Dampada block are expected to be among the areas that could be affected, a source said on Tuesday.

Hundreds of hectares of green jute cultivation (Nalita) in the Bilipada area have been inundated, raising concerns among farmers over crop losses.

With Diwali approaching, the crop was expected to be harvested after around 10 days and prepared as dried jute sticks (Kaunria Kathis) for sale, according to the farmers. However, with the floodwater inundating the fields, farmers have been forced to harvest the immature Lalita crop from the water.

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Floodwater Flows Over Sompada Road
The fourth flood has also affected areas of Tigiria and Banki. Backwater from Hulahula in Banki has resulted in around 3 feet of floodwater flowing over the Sompada road connecting Tigiria with Banki.

Several villages in Hatamal, Gadadharpur, Sompada and Puruna Tigiria areas of Tigiria block are affected when the Mahanadi floods.

The Maa Bada Bandhiani temple, considered the presiding deity of the Sompada and Banki areas, has also been submerged by floodwater.