Paradip: Cargo handling and daily operations of Paradip port has come to a grinding halt with the port town recording 412mm rainfall in the past 24 hours. Normal life was adversely affected with large areas in the port town and its periphery coming under vast sheet of water.

However, the plight of people here is likely to multiply over the next 24 hours as the Met department has predicted more rain. The operational area of the port has got waterlogged following incessant rain in the past 24 hours. Cargo handling and other port operations have been affected.

"As the railway sliding area, weighbridge and stockyard has become waterlogged, traffic has also been hit. Seven vessels that were to ship cargoes are lying stranded in the pre-berthing areas. Similarly, no cargo handling could be taken up in five ships berthed at the port. We are expecting normal operation of the port to begin by tomorrow morning," said a port officer.

All the 15 urban wards besides the peripheral slum settlements were waterlogged with streets and main roads coming under knee-deep water.

The downpour has exposed poor and ill-maintained sewerage and drainage network in urban areas that has resulted in submergence of large areas.

With its choked drains, poor sewerage and drainage network, the port town goes under water even with a drizzle. Residential colonies continue to be inundated as the administration struggles to tackle the situation.

De-watering motor pumps have been positioned at various low-lying areas to clear flooding in the port town and its adjoining areas. Cooked food is being provided to people in waterlogged areas, said local tehsildar Ramesh Panda.

"I have never seen such heavy rain lashing Paradip. We are stranded indoors for past 24 hours. Our locality is lying inundated. As authorities have failed to mitigate our plight, we pray to the rain god to mitigate our problem," said Ramesh Patra, a resident of Brundaban colony.