INCESSANT monsoon rains have severely battered Bilaspur causing massive cave-ins, deep craters and water logging across key routes. Major damage has been reported near Magarpara Chowk, Hemu Nagar and Power House Chowk on TorwaLakhadhan road while longstanding cracks plague the Pendridih-Tifra National Highway (NH). Navigating the city has become highly hazardous with water logged streets obscuring massive potholes and stalled vehicles blocking traffic. The situation remains particularly grim on the Bilaspur-Masturi and Bilaspur-Sendri-Ratanpur highways where construction flaws and overflowing drains have exacerbated the decay. These craters, combined with incomplete drainage construction and damaged roads, have caused severe commuting hazards and tragic accidents across the city. Record-breaking continuous monsoon rainfall has triggered severe flooding and water logging in Bilaspur’s low-lying areas, notably Sarkanda, Chantidih, Mangla, Hansa Vihar and the Bilaspur-Mungeli highway.

 

Persistent torrential downpours in Bilaspur triggered catastrophic flooding and caused widespread property damage. Over 400 houses were flooded, with several kaccha (mud) houses and boundary walls collapsing, forcing affected families to seek emergency shelter and relief in government schools. So far about 80 such houses have been identified by B i l a s p u r M u n i c i p a l Corporation (BMC) of which survey of 55 affected families have been completed by the officials. Besides local administration, many voluntary organisations have also joined the campaign extending every possible support to the affected people with food, water and clothes. Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Manish Sahu stated that the survey of all the affected families will be completed in next few days. “All the concerned Patwaris have been instructed to prepare a comprehensive report for compensation to the affected families. The civic administration has also initiated massive repair works across the city for road restoration and sweeping away stagnated water from the affected areas”, he mentioned.