Jamshedpur: With rainfall taking a pause in East Singhbhum district, residents of Jamshedpur and surrounding areas have received a momentary respite. However, the threat of flooding continues to persist as the Kharkai River remains well above the danger mark, and several low-lying and river-adjacent areas stay vulnerable.
According to the latest reports from the district administration, Subernarekha River, which had been rising steadily due to continuous rainfall in the region and its catchment areas, has now shown a declining trend. At the Mango Bridge measurement site, the Subernarekha currently stands at 120.66 metres, slightly below its danger level of 121.50 metres.
In contrast, the Kharkai River remains in a critical state. At the Adityapur Bridge site, the river is currently flowing at 132.79 metres, significantly above its danger level of 129.00 metres. The administration remains on high alert, particularly in flood-prone areas such as Shastri Nagar, Bagbera, Kadma, Adityapur, Kapali, and Birsanagar.
The district administration has intensified surveillance across vulnerable zones. Control rooms are operational 24×7, and teams from the revenue, disaster management, and police departments are monitoring the situation closely. Boats have been stationed at strategic locations, and preparations for emergency evacuation are already in place.
Officials have urged people living near the riverbanks to remain vigilant. “We are closely watching the water levels and have made arrangements for prompt action in case of an emergency,” said a senior disaster management officer.
Residents of submerged and low-lying areas have been requested not to return to their homes until further notice, even if there is a temporary decline in water levels. Public announcements are being made through loudspeakers to inform people about the latest developments and precautionary measures.
In some areas, floodwaters have already entered homes, forcing families to seek shelter in safer places. Temporary relief centres have been prepared in schools and community halls with arrangements for drinking water, food packets, and medical assistance.
While the rainfall has stopped locally, weather conditions in upstream areas and neighbouring states remain a concern. Any sudden release of water from dams or barrages could lead to a fresh surge in river water levels.
The district is in constant communication with the Central Water Commission and regional meteorological offices to stay updated on any changes that could affect the current situation.
While the decline in Subernarekha’s level is a welcome sign, the elevated water level of the Kharkai River remains a cause for serious concern. The administration has appealed to citizens to remain calm, avoid rumours, and follow all official instructions.
The situation remains under control for now, but given the unpredictability of weather and river behavior, authorities are maintaining full preparedness to deal with any sudden developments.
NDRF joins relief and rescue operations as Kharkai and Swarnarekha rivers rise
Jamshedpur: With continuous rainfall leading to rising water levels in the Kharkai and Swarnarekha rivers, several low-lying and coastal areas in East Singhbhum district have experienced waterlogging and flooding. On the instructions of Deputy Commissioner Karn Satyarthi, the district administration has launched full-scale relief and rescue operations, with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) actively engaged in evacuation efforts.
The NDRF team has been deployed in vulnerable areas such as Baghbera Naya Basti, where several families were trapped due to severe water accumulation. Working in coordination with the local administration, the NDRF has safely evacuated dozens of residents to higher ground, ensuring timely intervention and protection of lives.
Officials from the Jamshedpur Municipal Corporation and various block administrations have been directed to conduct regular field visits to assess the situation, provide relief materials, and support affected families. “Our focus is to ensure there is no loss of life and that every affected family receives immediate assistance,” said Deputy Commissioner Karn Satyarthi.
In rural areas, the impact of heavy rainfall has also been significant. In Patmada block, the house of a widowed woman was damaged due to incessant rain. Responding swiftly, the Patmada Zonal Officer reached the location and provided her with tarpaulin and essential relief support.
All block-level teams are actively evaluating the extent of damage to life and property and are engaged in distributing aid where needed. Rescue teams are also alert to any further rise in river levels and are keeping boats, equipment, and emergency shelters ready for deployment.
The district administration has appealed to the public to stay vigilant, avoid riverbanks, and immediately move to safer, higher locations if instructed. People have been urged to cooperate with officials and adhere to safety advisories to prevent any untoward incident.
