Koraput: More than 2,000 villagers of at least 15 villages of Lamataput block in the district are facing problem in reaching the block headquarters as the lone culvert connecting the villages with the block headquarters has been washed away in the incessant rain that lashed the area two weeks ago.

The villagers are crossing the river by risking their lives to reach the market or the hospital at Lamataput.

"It is a nightmare to shift patients from the village to hospital at Lamatapur, the farmers are unable to take their produce to the urban areas," said Malati Khora, a resident of Mahulput village.

"We will resort to dharana, if the culvert is not repaired at the earliest," said villager Manas Khora.

Lamataput block development officer Soumya Swartha Mishra said: "The blocks officials have surveyed the area and necessary steps will be taken at the earliest."