Odisha floods wash away bridge, 95,000 evacuated

An under-construction bridge over the Bagdega nullah in Odisha's Keonjhar district was washed away by incessant rain on Friday, cutting off road connectivity for four to five panchayats, according to Odishatv.in. The bridge, which was partially damaged last year, was being rebuilt by the Rural Development Department.

Across six districts, including Keonjhar, Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Mayurbhanj and Kendrapara, more than 95,000 people have been moved to 226 relief camps, PTI reported. The floods have affected around 2.70 lakh people in 503 villages. Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said special arrangements were made for children, pregnant women and the elderly. In Keonjhar, a landslide on National Highway-49 at Kanjipani Ghat disrupted traffic, NHAI officials said.

The India Meteorological Department said a fresh low-pressure area is likely to form over the north Bay of Bengal in the next 48 hours, and has advised fishermen not to venture into the sea.