Cuttack, : Panic gripped the people here after a 100-feet wide breach was created in Pattamundai canal near Mahanga Tribeniswar Bazaar submerging several acres of agricultural land on Saturday.
A 100-feet wide breach was formed due to erosion of the embankment, leading to flooding in several low-lying areas.
According to the locals, the Jagatpur-Pattamundai Canal passing through Mahanga in Cuttack district is considered an important source of irrigation for the farmers of Cuttack, Jajpur and Kendrapara districts.
Around 100 small canals branch out of the Pattamundai canal providing irrigation to several farms. Besides, as many as five shops have been washed away in Birupa River.
Locals have blamed the use of substandard construction materials for the breach.
