Districts on alert as rivers flow above danger mark

JAMSHEDPUR: With water-level Kharkhai and Subernarekha on the rise due to incessant rain over the last three days, the district administration of the two neighbouring districts East Singhbhum and Seraikela Kharswan are on the alert mode.

With about 250mm rainfall recorded in the last three days, the water level in Kharkhai has crossed 127mt and is inching towards the danger mark of 129mt. The Subernarekha water-level is up at almost 117mt with danger mark of 121.5mt just four meters away.

"Normally, water-level in the two adjoining rivers crosses the danger mark when Bankbal dam in Mayurbhanj, Odisha releases excess water. However, this time continued spell of rainfall could raise the water level," said an official of the Subernarekha Multipurpose Project (SMP), which administers the flood control cell.

The downpour continued throughout Wednesday evening and night on Thursday morning. "Next couple of hours are crucial for us as there's no respite from the rains even on the third consecutive day," said 32-year-old Shailesh Tiwary, a resident of Ramjanamnagar, Kadma.

Likewise, Umesh Kumar, a retailer who lives in Ichapur, said, "We have shifted some of our belongings to our relative's house in Bistupur as we apprehend the water level will increase in Kharkhai in the next couple of hours."

The Adityapur Municipal Council (AMC) has made adequate preparations to shift people to rescue centers in case of flashfloods.

"AMC and district administration (of SK district) have jointly worked out rescue and relief measures," said AMC special officer Suresh Yadav.

The district administration has identified 10 places, including schools and government buildings in Adityapur, Seraikela and Gamharia, to use them as rescue centres.

The disaster management cell of the East Singhbhum administration is on active mode over the past few days, organizing training camps to make people, likely to be affected by flash-floods, aware of the rescue measures.

"For over a week, JNAC, MNAC and Jugsalai municipal officials have been put on task to train people on how to react in the event of flash floods," said an official in the disaster management cell.

East Singhbhum DC Amit Kumar visited the river banks and low-lying areas to take stock of the situation. He said, "Chandil dam has released excess water into Kharkhai river but there is no threat of flash-floods, as of now." Four magistrates have been deputed at different places to keep an eye on the rising water level.

Jamshedpur: With water-level Kharkhai and Subernarekha on rise due to incessant rains since the last three days the district administration of the two neighbouring districts East Singhbhum and Seraikela Kharswan are on the alert mode.

With about 250mm rainfall recorded in the last three days the water level in Kharkhai has crossed 127mt and is inching towards the danger mark of 129mt while water level in Subernarekha has touched nearly 117mt with danger mark four meters away at 121.5mt.

"Normally, water level in the two adjoining rivers crosses danger mark when Bankbal dam in Mayurbhanj, Odisha releases excess water. However, this time around continued spell of rains could raise the water level," said an official in the Subernarekha Multipurpose Project (SMP) administrated flood control cell.

The downpour that continued in bouts all through Wednesday overnight and on Thursday has worried the families living in the riverbank areas.

"Next couple of hours is crucial for us as there's no respite from the rains even on the third consecutive day," said 32-year-old Shailesh Tiwary, a resident of Ramjanamnagar, Kadma. Tiwary's house is at some distance from Kharkhai.

Likewise, Umesh Kumar, a retailer who lives in Ichapur, Adityapur said: "We have shifted some of our belongings to our relative's house in Bistupur as we apprehend water level would increase in Kharkhai in the next couple of hours,"

The Adityapur Municipal Council (AMC) has made adequate preparations to shift the people to rescue centers in the eventuality of flashfloods.

"AMC and district administration (of SK district) have jointly worked out rescue and relief measures in advance to help the people (should the need arise)," said AMC special officer, Suresh Yadav.

In the Adityapur, Seraikela and Gamharia area district administration has identified 10 places that include schools and few government buildings for recue centers.

The disaster management cell of the East Singhbhum administration is on active mode since last few days organizing training camps to aware the people, likely to be affected by flash-floods, on rescue measures.

"Since over a week JNAC, MNAC and Jugsalai municipal officials have been put on task to train the people on how to react in the event of flash-floods situation," said officials in the disaster management cell.