Residents of Rayagada Alarmed by Nagavali River's Erosion Threat

Concerns Rise Over Nagavali River's Changing Course

Residents of Rayagada and surrounding villages are increasingly worried about the shifting path of the Nagavali River. The lack of complete protective embankments along its banks has heightened the risk of flooding and erosion.

Significant portions of the riverbank remain unprotected due to delays in the construction of embankments. Local residents, especially those in urban areas and nearby rural communities, have voiced their concerns and frustrations regarding the slow progress.

Years ago, the river changed its course, resulting in the loss of land near the Raniguda area. Since that incident, residents in this region have been on edge every rainy season.

Villages like Dhumaguda and Mariguda, located across the river, also suffer from regular erosion during the monsoon months.

Year after year, soil from both banks is being washed away, threatening homes, agricultural land, and essential infrastructure.

Last year, the Water Resources department initiated the construction of a protective embankment on the rural side of the river, but the project remains unfinished. No protective measures have been implemented on the urban side.

Without an embankment to serve as a barrier, the river continues to encroach upon the town's outskirts, exacerbating erosion and jeopardizing local livelihoods.

Durjyodhan Jani, an Assistant Engineer with the Water Resources department, noted that sections of the riverbank in the urban area are privately owned, which complicates the construction process. He assured that efforts would be made soon to address this issue.