Heavy rains disrupt life in Bastar

Jagdalpur | Correspondent: The Bastar division of Chhattisgarh is facing severe disruption due to continuous heavy rains, while other parts of the state suffer from insufficient rainfall.

Bijapur and Sukma districts are experiencing the highest rainfall, leading to significant issues.

Rivers including Shabri, Godavari, Minto, and Indravati are in spate, causing widespread flooding. The bridge near Errabor on National Highway 30 is submerged, severing Bastar’s road connections with Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Maharashtra. Similarly, the Jhapra bridge’s submersion has cut off Bastar’s connectivity with Odisha.

Hundreds of villages in Bijapur, Sukma, and Narayanpur districts have lost contact with their district headquarters due to the floods. In Jagdalpur, the Indravati river is flowing above the danger mark, prompting a flood alert. The district administration has urged residents to avoid riverbanks and has set up relief camps for affected individuals.

The situation is also critical in neighbouring districts. Continuous rainfall in Mohla-Manpur-Ambagadh Chowki has caused rivers and streams to overflow. The approach road of the under-construction National Highway 930 between Iragaon and Kahgaon has been washed away. Additionally, road connectivity between villages and district headquarters has been severed near Korkotti and Jabkasa.

The Kothari river in the district is also in spate, with the Mongra barrage filled to capacity. Consequently, 36,000 cusecs of water have been released, with alerts issued to nearby villages.

Residents in the affected areas are advised to remain cautious and adhere to safety advisories issued by authorities.