Rain rage engulfs Chhattisgarh

 

Chaos and panic reigned supreme as incessant rainfalls that lashed Chhattisgarh for nearly 48-hour in succession left behind scenes of marooned habitats, flash floods sweeping away highways, bridges overflowing at danger levels, uprooted trees and stranded vehicles everywhere.

 

Statistically, Janjgir district alone recorded highest average rainfall of 215.63 mm in past 24-hours, even as Chhattisgarh accounted for single largest intake of 162.3 mm rains.

 

Thought the heavy downpour remained a state-wide phenomenon, four major districts Raipur, Bilaspur, Janjgir and Dhamtari set in new records of this rainy season. Quite strikingly, the overnight rains in Raipur, which had alone recorded for 63 mm by 2030 hours on Thursday night, notched up to 100 mm on Friday morning by 0830 hours. So much so that the showers, which were pleasantly welcomed by one and all at its initial stage of its onset on Wednesday evening, suddenly turned into woes for many.

 

The rainfall at many places in Raipur, Durg, Bilaspur and Surguja divisions led to flash-flood like situations as heavy gush of waters inundated roads and highways as well as prominent landmarks. Rajim, a holy destination in Gariaband district, situated some 45 kilometres, witnessed Kuleshwar Mahadev Mandir at Triveni Sangam, led to submergence of its 20-feet high platform and eventually inaccessible to anyone. The heavy gush of rain waters flowing through confluence of Sondhur, Pairi and Mahanadi, gave it a tiny island like look.

 

The only sigh of relief for people in State is the Met Department forecast that there would be normal rains at many places across the state in next 48 hours, sans its intensity of past 48-hours, which turned the life upside down in Chhattisgarh.

 

Heavy rains in Janjgir-Champa district severely affected the normal life as swollen rivers finding its way further swallowed all major highways and roads, apart from inundating the residential colonies, with low lying areas being the worst hit.

 

Kanji Nullah in Banari area of Champa and Jokhna Nullah flowing above the danger levels brought the vehicular movement to a grinding halt in both the directions. Similarly, the bridge over Mahanadi River in Sheorinarayan and Chandrapur were almost near the alarming level. Looking into situation, the district administration had to press local police force into action for preventing any sorts of vehicular or individual movements on the bridges as well as roads, where flash flood waters were uncontrollably flowing through.

 

 

In Raigarh, the bridge over Mand River, a tributary of Mahandi, had to be temporarily shut by the authorities after the water levels were witnessed rising dangerously up and high. As a result, over 30 villages connected through Kudmura-Shyang Road have lost their connectivity from rest of the district since 48-hours rains has led the Hukra-Mand River to turn all the adjoining areas into mini islands. Alike, state and national highways were also flooded with rain waters and motorists were not willing to take any risks to pass through.

 

 

 

Verdant industrial district of Korba was also severely hit by inclement weather as several villages were left landlocked as flash flood blocked the movement of both vehicles and pedestrians alike. At several places, rains were also accompanied by heavy gush of winds leading to uprooting of trees. Over two dozen key villages were bereft of connectivity from the rest of the district due to fallout of weather phenomenon. These villages comprised of Jilga, Barpali, Shanidera, Dadarpara, Katkona, Basin, Phoolsari, Girari, Geetkuvari, Labaid, Patrapalli, Chirram, Elong, Shimkeda, Gurma, Dhanpuri, Degudih, Shyand, Amldiha, Dhaunrabadi and others.

 

In another incident, a team of local youths dived into Leelagar River at Reki village of Korba district after three bikes got washed away by gushing rain waters. However, the team of young divers could manage to fetch only one bike while search for the remaining bikes and their riders, hailing from the Reki village, was still underway till the reports last came in.

 

 

 

The only bridge that connects remotest village of Amaldiha situated in Nawagarh block of Bemetara district, now apparently seems to be the part of raging Shivnath River. Here the heavy gush was river water has totally submerged the only connecting bridge, owing to which a large population from this

village has lost all the connectivity with Navagarh block.

 

 

 

Pipariya and Mushka Rivers in Khairagarh area of Rajnandgaon district was also overflowing to alarming levels after which the authorities had to open the barrage gates to drain excess rain waters. Subsequently, the local market area of Khairagarh, popularly known as ‘Itwari Bazaar’ turned into a

 

 

 

Five locals of Magerchapa village in BalodaBazar district were reported to be trapped by sudden inflow of heavy rain waters. They were later rescued. Similalry, Girdhari-Sheorinarayan bridge, which connects Balodabazar with Sarangarh and Sheorinarayan also remained inundated with nearly knee deep water.

 

At a busy Gidhauri market area, water levels were witnessed upto 3 feet high and they had made their way into all shops.

 

 

 

State capital Raipur also bore the brunt of heavy rains as all major roads and routes were thoroughly flooded with rains waters. The Ring-Road 3, which connects to Dhaneli, right on Raipur-Bilaspur National Highway, turned into a huge water body where vehicles were spotted wading their way out with caution. The Vidhan Sabha Road at many intersections had to be closed for plying of vehicles since it was flooded with water all way long. The Sheonath River under Kharun Bridge had almost reached its brim even as locals and motorists made their way out through this key infra facility, which connects Raipur with the sibling cities of Bhilai and Durg. The famous ‘Laxman Jhula’ site at Mahadeo Ghat in Raipur, however, turned picnic spot for youngsters as they rushed there to click ‘selfie’ with gushing Sheonath River in the background.

 

The residential quarters of Raipur Police Lines virtually turned into mini swimming pool, thereby suspending the movement of all affected police personnel and their family members ‘to and fro’ the submerged ground floors as well as those residing above.

 

 

 

 

 

Due to incessant rains for the last 48 hours, flood situation has prevailed in the villages adjacent to the rivers. Water is flowing about 10 feet above Mahmara anicut in Durg. Four families of village Akola and two families of village Hirri have been shifted to relief camps set up by the administration. Also seven villages have lost connectivity due to the overflow of the bridge at Amner River on Dhamdha-Bori road.

 

The water level of Sheonath River has increased due to release of 44,000 cusecs of water from Mogra, Ghumaria and Sukha nullah reservoirs. Water is flowing 10.5 feet above the Mahmara anicut. Due to rains, water has filled in all the reservoirs of the division. Tandula reservoir is filled about 55% while Kharkhara reservoir is around 80% full.

 

 

 

 

In the morning, Collector Dr Sarveshwar Narendra Bhure reached Mahmara Annicut and took stock of the situation. Collector informed that a high alert has been issued in all the villages along the river bank. Also, in view of flood like situation, relief camps have been set up in all government schools and government buildings in the villages situated on the banks of Sheonath, Amner and Kharun rivers.

 

Due to the overflow of the bridge at Amner River on Dhamdha-Bori road, seven villages including Sukhri Kala, Sukhari Khurd, Tuman Kala, Tuman Khurd, Toyra Kala, Toyra Khurd and Deur Kala Village have been cut off. Apart from this, all the public places of village Dhania, Virodhi, Sahagaon and Sagni along the banks of Amner, Sheonath and Kharun rivers have been converted into relief camps. The labour colonies and villages in the low lying areas near the river banks are facing water-logging problem.