Jamshedpur: Incessant rain that has hit the city from last three days has led to water clogging in the low-lying areas and throne life out of gear.
More than 200 houses in the low lying areas of city were affected in past 24 hours amid strong flood threats as the water level in the twin rivers, Kharkai and Swarnrekha, have suddenly surged above danger mark following heavy rain in the catchments areas.
Meanwhile, Jamshedpur circle officer Manoj Kumar and Jugsalai municipality special officer A Minz were directed by the Dhalbhum SDO Alok Kumar to sound flood alert in the affected area.
Meanwhile, at 3 pm, Kharkai flowed at 130.38 m (danger mark 129 m) while Subernarekha flowed at 120.90 m (danger mark 122 m).
Six radial gates of Chandil dam were opened leading to discharge of water at 913.15 cumecs.
Officials said that more than 60 houses in Baghbera, around 50 houses in Shastrinagar and some other low lying areas were affected. All the necessary rescue and relief measures were being taken to effectively tackle the situation. �We have vacated several houses and shifted the people to safer places.
As the water level was still on the rise we have put our system on high alert to meet any eventuality,� He said adding no loss of life has been reported so far and flow of water through the sluice gates of Kharkai and Banckwel dams was completely stopped today.
Meanwhile traffic was disrupted as major main roads in the city were inundated. Commuters had a tough time wading through knee-deep water, at some places, to reach their destinations. There is also a fear of an outbreak of water-borne diseases.
The traffic police had a tough time regulating traffic in the affected areas. In a few areas, traffic constables were seen opening manhole covers to enable free flow of rainwater into the drains.��
Rain water gushed into houses in many low-lying area, said officials. Many areas including Jugsalai were also plunged into darkness after electric cables were snapped due to the falling trees.
According to information areas like Mango, Jugsalai, Baghbera, Parsudih have been hit. Water clogging at these areas has made difficult for people to move.
The downpour exposed the woeful drainage system on the city roads. Choked drains resulted in water logging in different parts of the city. Motorists had to struggle to get through the water-logged roads.
Most of the roads are dotted with stalled vehicles, adding to the chaos. In some low lying areas several autos have been reported stranded in water.
�Rains have made life difficult for the residents but still there has not been much flooding even in the low-lying areas. We are keeping a vigil look and are prepared to face situation,� said an officer of Jugsalai Municipality
Meanwhile resident of Jugsalai complained of water clogging and heap of garbage spread in several nooks and corners of the areas.
River Swarnrekha and Kharkai, flow through the different parts of the city, which is also called as steel city due to the presence of a large number of steel and related industries.
In a similar situation both the rivers had also surged suddenly in 2013 causing submersion of more than 100 houses. In another such flood in June 2009, one person lost his life while hundreds of houses were submerged.
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