Incessant rainfall since past five days created mayhem among the residents of Jharkhand; claimed 11 lives so far. The heavy downpour has resulted in prolonged power cuts and property damage across the seven districts over the past days; made life miserable.
The heavy downpour since past five days left behind a trail of destruction across Bokaro district. With power disrupted, trees and electric pole uprooted, traffic snarls, rooftops and hoardings were blown off were reported in several parts of the district.
Rains lashed most parts of the district; at least ten houses were completely collapsed while five partially. Incessant rainfalls washed out many connecting roads, ten small causeway, pools across the district were reported.
Land subsidence below the Railway track at Bokaro Thermal was also reported which disrupted the coal supply at DVC’s power plant. Several low-lying areas are still inundated. About 3 to 5 feet rain water lodged at several spots on the National Highway.
The torrent flow of river blown-off a youth Budhu Gorai, he went to take bath in the river, said Raju and eyewitness. Later villagers tried a lot to save him but got in-vain; his body is still missing, said the villagers.
Many areas on the bank of Garga River continue to be submerged in rain water
People residing in the fire zone of Kathara in Bokaro district having distressing experience, as thick smokes due to the underground fire started coming out after incessant rainfall in the wee hours on Tuesday. It was a closed coal mine of CCL about 45 kms from the district headquarter of Bokaro.
Today morning the scene seems to be like a volcanic eruption; very thick and huge smoke suddenly started coming out from the closed coal mines at Kathara, said Surender a local resident. “About ten years ago CCL closed this mine and filled with ash but there is underground inferno”, he added.
According to the another eyewitness Chandan, the smoke started erupting after a nearby pond named ‘Mini Talab’ started overflowing due to heavy downpour and overflowed water enters into the closed mines through pot holes. “It seems that as soon as the water comes in contact with burning coal fume started erupting”, he added.
B K Singh the General Manager of the CCL denied for any comments on this issue.
Heavy rains resulted in Damodar River to flow above the danger mark, the Bokaro district administration has warned all residents living close to the riverbanks to move to safer and higher places, official informed.
All ten gates of the dam have been opened and huge water was released from the dam, informed the nodal officer of Tenughat Dam.
It may be assumed that 26000 cusecs (736.80 cubics) water per second would be released from the dam after opening all 10 gates as the water level increases in the reservoir of Tenughat Dam, informed A K Jha Executive Engineer of Tenughat Dam.
The heavy downpour forced people to take shelter in high rising places living in the lower areas. More than ten small bridges continue to be submerged in rain water while flash flood washed away three small pools (bridge) in duo districts.
According to the reports four persons died when the ambulance carrying them from Palamau district to a Ranchi hospital was washed away in swelling Koel river in Lohardaga. While four others died in Ranchi district, two in Ramgarh, and one each in Bokaro and Khunti districts died due to rain- related incidents since yesterday, sources said.
The Jharkhand government announced compensation of Rs 4 lakh to the family members of each person died in the rain.
The government also decided to provide compensation to the injured according to the severity of the injury.
Compensation would also be provided for the death of cattle and damage of houses.
