Jamshedpur Flood: Rivers in spate, fear still looms large, RAF deployed

Jamshedpur, Aug 21: After rain played havoc on Saturday, Sunday brought a sigh of relief for the people residing in the low lying areas of the city, as sky remained clear in most parts of the city, however, Met experts opined that the rain God may play spoilsport due depression.

Swarnarekha and Kharkhai rivers are still flowing near danger marks in this steel city as incessant rains since Friday night submerged about 2000 houses in the low-lying areas.

Several affected families are taking shelter in the relief camps of the district administration as their houses have been inundated with the river water in several low lying areas. According to information nearly 150 families, largely slum dwellers of Kharkhai and Subernarekha catchment areas, have been rescued to safer places on the insistence of the district administration.

“Almost all the affected families have been rescued to the relief camps and there’s no hurry for them to get back home as we are monitoring the flood situation,” said an official.

Mango, Baghbera New Colony, Nirmal Nagar, Shastrinagar and Jugsalai are much affected by the rains.

“In both the rivers water level is on a receding mode but we need to be constantly vigil as the weather department has issued warning of heavy rainfall again,” said senior official at district flood control cell.

There was, however no report of any loss of life due to the flood  and East Singhbhum district administration has shifted the affected families living in low-lying areas of Bagbera to a nearby primary school building during the day. The administration has appealed to others living in low-lying areas to shift to safer places in view of the rising water levels of the two rivers.

East Singhbhum deputy commissioner Vijaya Jadhav said that the administration has mobilized all its resources to mitigate problems of those affected by flash floods in the district.

“We are taking every step to remain alert to face any situation. The Rapid Action Force (RAF) has been engaged for emergency evacuation operations in low-lying areas. We have pressed into service the civil defence unit and Indian Red Cross Society for relief work and evacuation work in low-lying areas,” said an official.

The official further said that all the three local urban bodies (Jamshedpur Notified Area Committee), Mango Notified Area Committee and Jugsalai municipality which looks after civic upkeep in non-company command area have been asked to distribute food materials, bleaching powders and other essential commodities at the shelters houses (community halls, public building and government buildings).

Announcements have been made in low-lying areas of Bagbera, Jugsalai, Shastrinagar and Mango for evacuation.

Around 100 families of Naya Basti, Shiv Nagar and Harharguttu localities in Bagbera which were inundated due to swelling of Kharkai river in the wee hours were shifted to respective shelter houses in Bagbera. Water Logging also took place in flats of Adarshnagar Seventh phase due to clogging of drains.