Keonjhar: Heavy rainfall over the past 24 hours has caused widespread disruption in Odisha's Keonjhar district, washing away temporary road diversions, damaging under-construction bridges, and snapping road connectivity in several parts of the Telkoi area.

According to reports, continuous rainfall triggered flooding across the region. At Hanumantia Nala on the Telkoi-Jagmohanpur Public Works Department road, the centring of an under-construction bridge was washed away. The temporary diversion road at the site was also swept away, leaving Telkoi virtually cut off from surrounding areas.

A similar incident was reported near the Dak Bungalow near the Samakoi River, where the centring of another under-construction bridge was washed away in the strong current. The damage has raised concerns over the quality and durability of the ongoing bridge construction works.

Floodwaters also submerged the bridge over Ghurudia Nala near Kardangi under nearly 12 feet of water, making it impassable. Meanwhile, a bridge over Panchamundia Nala collapsed due to the heavy flow of rainwater, disrupting connectivity to Kardangi and nearby villages.

Road links between Telkoi and National Highway 49 have also been severed. In addition to roads and bridges, floodwaters have damaged agricultural fields.

The heavy rain also affected wildlife movement. A tusker was stranded for some time near Hanumantia Nala because of the strong water current. It later moved safely into the nearby Hanumantia forest after the water level receded.