Jajpur: Floods have once again exposed the vulnerability of the Kani River, a distributary of the Baitarani, which has brought widespread damage to Dasarathpur block in Odisha's Jajpur district. Repeated breaches in the river embankments over the years have left thousands of residents facing recurring hardships during every monsoon.

According to local reports, more than 20 embankment breaches have occurred in the past 12 years. Of these, 17 breaches were reported along the Kani River and three along the Baitarani River.

This year, fresh breaches have occurred at the Mahapatrasahi embankment on the Baitarani River and at Dobhabil and Patana in Tarpada panchayat along the Kani River. The earlier breach at Kantapada, which had remained open since the first spell of flooding, has also continued to worsen the situation.

On the third day of the floods, water up to three feet deep was flowing through hundreds of villages spread across panchayats including Tarpada, Kasapa, Malikapur, Shushua, Mangalpur, Kanikapada, Chhachina, Katikata, Jayantara, Nizampur, Kayan, Kamardihi, Khananagar, Thalakudi, Palatpur, Jafarpur, Biripata, Dattapur and Duduraanta.

Residents have alleged that officials and public representatives have not reached many of the affected areas, even three days after the floods.

The floods have inundated 56 revenue villages across 19 of the 35 panchayats in Dasarathpur block. Around 30,000 people have been shifted to safe places. The block administration has set up 54 relief shelters, where cooked food is being provided to the displaced families.

Additional District Magistrate Yudhishthira Nayak, who is overseeing flood management in Dasarathpur block, said the administration is extending all possible assistance to the affected people.