Rayagada: At least three persons – a minor and two elderly persons – were swept away by flood water in Kalyansingpur block of this district on Sunday.
According to reports, while the child was swept away by flood water at Badanaikaguda, the elderly persons were swept away at Majhiguda village.
Around 7000 people of the block are under flood water as the hanging bridge at Binispur caved in due to increase in water level in Nagabali and Kalyani rivers.
Around 60 people have taken shelter on roof tops at Jhilunda village while 10 others have taken shelter on trees at Kataguda village.
ODRAF personnel have been engaged in the rescue operation. However, heavy rains have affected the rescue operation in the area.
Speaking to Kalinga TV, Rayagada collector Guha Poonam Tapas Kumar said, “Rescue operation is on. Some people have been shifted to safer places and others will be airlifted. The district administration will provide food and drinking water to the affected people.”
The entire block is now cut off from the rest of the world as roads at many places have been washed away and there is no electricity or phone connectivity due to the flood.
Ms Kalinga