Villages face erosion threat

ROURKELA: Massive soil erosion on the banks of the river Brahmani is  threatening to wipe out several riverside villages in the district.Even the course of the river at several places down the Bonai sub-division appears to be changing.A week back when the river was flooded, downstream areas in the sub-divisionwere severely affected with Jangla village bearing the maximum brunt. Thestrong current of the swelling river triggered landslides at several areas too.At Patrasahi hamlet of Jangla, the river washed away around 30 feet of embankment and villagers had to shift to safer places. Villagerssaid the recent flood caused massive soil erosion. District CPM secretaryBanamali Dhupal said a memorandum in this regard has been submitted to thedistrict administration to take immediate corrective measures.The Brahmani breached embankments at Bahariposhi, Arkeikela, Belkudarand Lalei in Lahunipara block besides Deoposh, Ruguda, Gili, Baneikela, Tendra and Ambaphali in Bonai block as flood water reachedresidential areas and also silted vast stretches of farmland.Some villages including Tendra, Kisansahi and Kulasahi in Kenabhata grampanchayats remained marooned for a couple of days.Villagers are apprehending repetition of a similar situationwith natural embankments being washed away.Administrative sources said it was the responsibility of the Water Resources Department to take up measures to prevent soil erosion with stone packing and setting up guard walls at vulnerable spots of the meandering river.Sundargarh Collector Rupa Roshan Sahu said corrective measures would betaken to contain further damage to the river embankments.