Jamshedpur Kharkai river inching danger mark, administration presses alert 

Jamshedpur, July 18: Incessant rain in the district and with the opening of the gate of the dam, the water level of Kharkai river is inching the danger mark. The district administration has sounded alert in view of rising water level of the river.

The Deputy Commissioner Vijaya Jadhav directed the Special Officer of JNAC and Block Development Officer of Jamshedpur to issue an alert immediately in the coastal area. Along with this, instructions have also been given to keep arrangements for taking people to a safe place in case of emergency.

In this regard, Jadhav said that due to incessant rains and opening of a gate of Kharkai Dam, the water level of the river may rise. She said that in view of the rising water level in the river, the local bodies and the block administration have been asked to remain alert. At the same time, in case of emergency, immediate action has been taken to protect life and property. For this, the administration is keeping an eye on every situation. She has appealed to the local people not to go towards the submergence area or river bank. Keeping in view the safety of your family and property, stay in high altitude places.

Rains that hit the city in the last 48 hours have provoked the district administration of East Singhbhum to take elaborate measures for better flood management this year. Drawing lessons from the past, the administration is acting strong this time to discuss preventive measures before the monsoon rain becomes havoc in Steel City.

“The weather condition is likely to remain largely the same at least for the next couple of hours and rains will continue,” said officials at the Patna met office. The Seraikela administration has put the authorities on alert and asked them to arrange rescue boats, life jackets, dragon lights, tarpaulin sheets, among other safety equipment, before time.

The administration has asked special officers of local urban bodies — Jamshedpur Notified Area Committee, Mango Notified Area Committee and Jugsalai Municipality — and the circle officer of Jamshedpur to co-ordinate among themselves on a 24-hour basis for emergency evacuations and flash flood management in identified vulnerable areas.

Water also entered low lying areas like the Basti area of Bagbera as local administration sounded alert to other households in the Basti and Baroda Ghat areas of Bagbera to be prepared for evacuation any moment.

According to information, areas like Mango, Jugsalai, Baghbera, Parsudih have been hit. Water clogging in these areas has made it difficult for people to move.

 “We have instructed Jamshedpur and Mango notified area committees and Jugsalai municipality to remain ready for meeting any emergency. Though there is no flood like situation immediately, we have to remain alert as both Subarnarekha and Kharkai are swollen,” said an official.

He said that the flood in the Kharkai depends on the release of Bankbeal dam water from adjoining Mayurbhanj district, and Subarnarekha on the water released from the Chandil dam.