Nabarangpur: Heavy overnight rainfall has disrupted road connectivity between Umerkote and Raighar in Odisha's Nabarangpur district after floodwaters submerged a temporary bridge over the Tel River at Beheda.

According to reports, nearly five feet of water is flowing over the temporary bridge, making it unsafe for vehicular movement. As a result, traffic between Umerkote and Raighar has come to a complete halt, leaving vehicles and passengers stranded on both sides of the river.

The temporary bridge was constructed after the old bridge over the Tel River was demolished more than two years ago to make way for a new permanent structure. However, the bridge project has faced repeated delays. Construction initially began using a pile foundation system, but the work reportedly failed and remained suspended for a long period. The project resumed only about three months ago with a revised design involving new pillars.

In the meantime, authorities had built a low-level diversion road fitted with Hume pipes to maintain connectivity during construction. With the river now in spate following continuous heavy rain, the diversion has gone completely underwater, cutting off the route.

Residents alleged that if a higher temporary bridge had been constructed, the present disruption could have been avoided. Due to damaged roads in the region, small vehicles are now being forced to take a longer diversion through interior roads before reconnecting to the main route near Chikalpadar Chhak. Bus services, however, have become impossible on the affected stretch.