Relief work gathers pace in submerged Kolhan region

JAMSHEDPUR: District authorities in West Singhbhum and East Singhbhum are keeping a close tab on rain-related developments as the districts were particularly hit during the recent deluge.
Chaibasa and Chakradharpur in West Singhbhum were badly affected, and markets in the two towns remained closed for most part of the day on Monday. The traffic on Chaibasa-Ranchi Road, too, remained suspended after Banjhikusum bridge was partially washed out late on Sunday.
"Traffic on Chaibasa-Ranchi Road is being diverted through Seraikela (to and fro Ranchi) for the time being," West Singhbhhum DC Arava Rajkamal said.The DC informed that Dandasai, Dipasai, Kuddibari and Bhaliakudur in Chakradharpur and Ramchandrapur in Karsikela, apart from low-lying areas in Chaibasa, were largely hit by the rains. Vijay and Sanjay rivers flowed in spate and water gushed into houses situated in the catchment areas.
The movement on Sonua-Goilkera Road also remained affected as Jhargaon bridge remained submerged. Rajkamal said that the state NDRF, along with CRPF 90 battalion and district administration, is engaged in rescue work. Over 500 people have been rescued and shifted to relief camps and other safer places in the last 24 hours.
"The water is gradually receding," the DC said, adding that there's no rain-related casualty in the district.
Singhbhum MP Geeta Koda, who met the affected families at Panchayat Bhavan in Keraikela, said compensation to the victims will be given after the district administration makes assessment of the damage caused by the rains. In adjoining Seraikela-Kharsawan district, shopkeepers at Ashiyana trade center in Adityapur created a ruckus after their stock got damaged owing to overflowing drain water. "All the shops on the ground floor have suffered heavy losses due to the damage caused by drain water. Had the building society cleaned the choked drains on time, such problems wouldn't have occurred," rued a shopkeeper.
In Steel City, too, the administration is on alert following a rise in the water levels of Kharkai and Subernarekha rivers. Officials of Jamshedpur Notified Area Committee (JNAC), Mango Notified Area Committee (MNAC) and Jugsalai municipality are frequently visiting the low-lying areas to monitor the water level. Water level in Subernarekha and Kharkhai increased on Sunday but has not touched the danger mark.