Koraput: A couple died and their eight-year old son suffered serious injuries on Saturday after a wall of their home collapsed and fell on them because of the torrential rain in the Rayagada district. The incessant downpour since Thursday night has created a flash flood like situation here.
The couple have been identified as Madhav Laya and Yoshabati Laya of Sulipadar village under Kalyansinghpur block, said an official.
"The incident took place around 6am after a wall of their home collapsed and fell on the trio. While the couple succumbed and their son suffered minor injuries," said Rayagada district emergency officer Babita Rani Dalbehera.
The administration has put officials on alert for any eventuality with no respite in rainfall and Vansadhara, Nagabali and Jhanjabati rivers overflowing with rainwater.
The water level in Vansadhara river in Gunupur area of the district has reached 82.62 metres around 3pm and is still rising. When a river swells up to 83 metres it is at the warning level and when it reaches around 84 metres it is at the danger level.
However, officials said at present the situation was under control.
"There is no flood situation in the district but if heavy rain continues for next few hours then there might be some problem. Officials with adequate relief materials have been put on alert at block and panchayat headquarters to face a possible flood situation," said Rayagada collector Guha Poonam Tapas.
"If required, then villagers of low-lying areas will be shifted to safer places," she said.
The district received a total of 949.7mm and an average of 86.3mm rainfall till 8am on Saturday. Kashipur block of the district received 223mm which is the highest so far.