Collector Asks Officials to Monitor Raigarh Situation; Rescue Ops Underway

Raigarh drict on alert.Collector declares holiday from 16th-18th August.Nodal officers and NDRF Teams initiate rescue ops in Raigarh.

Raigad, CG: With incessant rains scattered over the state, the Collector of Raigarh Ranu Shah announced a holiday to schools for three days starting today in the flood-affected areas of Pusaur, and Barmkel development block of the drict.

The rivers and drains are in spate raising alarms in low-lying areas. According to sources, 1 lakh cusecs (cubic foot per second)  of water has were released from the Samoda Dam on 15th August. Nodal officers of the revenue dept have been instructed to stay alert and initiate rescue and relief operations. NDRF teams have been called to expedite the rescue operations.

Earlier on Monday, Bhupesh Baghel asked the adminration to monitor the situation in Janjgir-Champa and Raigarh dricts due to the continuous rise in the water level of the Mahanadi river amid heavy rains, an official said. The official said the process of shifting people from low-lying areas along the major river to relief camps had begun as a precautionary measure.

“Due to heavy rains, several rivers are in spate. Irrigation projects and reservoirs in Raipur, Durg and Bastar divisions are full and water is being released continuously, which is increasing the level of the Mahanadi,” the official said.

Around 4,50,000 cusec water has been released from Hirakud which flooded the Janjgir-Champa and Raigarh region.