Heavy rains pounded Bastar region causing rivers and rivulets to overflow, snapping road communications of district headquarters such as Bijapur, Sukma with other regions of the state and bordering states.
Sukma remained cut off from Odisha and Telangana also.
As per sources in Bastar region in last 48 hours, around175 hutments have been razed while five people died and six others remained missing.
The assistance of divers is being taken to trace the remaining missing persons. At Jagdalpur, two deaths have been reported while five have been injured as houses caved in.
With continuous rains for last three days, water-level in most rivers and rivulets of Bastar region has risen above danger mark. Indravati river crossed the danger level as three gates of Khatiguda dam in Odisha were opened. The villagers settled in low-lying areas have been shifted to safer places. Relief camps have been opened in several schools, while administration is providing food and medical assistance in Sukma.
Several areas in Dongaghat,Chepraguda, Dhobiguda and Bhejapadar have virtually turned into islands. The water-level at Shabri river at 8.00 pm was 11.46 metres.Similar situation prevails in Bijapur district also where several huts have been damaged and several villages have been converted into islands. Normal life has been affected, including power supply.
In Kawardha district too villagers have been shifted to relief camps in several affected areas by district administration.The traffic movement on Raipur-Jabalpur National Highway has been affected due to its closure due to rains. During inspection of the sites and relief camps, villagers claimed that encroachment of riverbeds caused the flooding in villages. Kawardha Collector Avanish Sharan assured to take action after rains. At Kanker, Antagarh MLA Anup Nag was caught in overflowing rivulet without any security arrangement as now arning board was put up there. He was on a visit to the area.In Mungeli, a school student was saved by some youths as he was trying to cross the road inundated by overflowing Maniyari river in Lormi. Similarly, Kanker collector K L Chouhan was caught in rains as uprooted trees blocked the roads near Bhanbeda on Thursday. The traffic was restored after trees were cut and removed from roads.
Baghel directs officials to stay alert as heavy rainfall predicted
Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel has given instructions to all the Divisional Commissioners and Collectors to stay alert as Meteorological Department has issued warning of heavy rainfall in many parts of the state.He has directed the officials concerned to keep an eye on the flood-prone areas and ensure immediate measures for prevention and relief in case flood-like situation arises. Baghel said that calamity management teams should be appointed in low-lying areas. Safe places should be marked to safely relocate the residents of these areas.
Accommodation, food, safe drinking water, medical and other necessary arrangements should also be made in case of requirement.