Yaas pours water on Cov fight, disrupts life

Jamshedpur: Two rivers — Kharkai and Subernarekha — passing through East Singhbhum and Seraikela-Kharsawan districts swelled up on Thursday following intermittent rains since Wednesday owing to cyclone Yaas, which has turned into a deep depression. East Singhbhum authorities have intensified rescue and relief operations in areas along the river belt to safeguard residents.
Kharkai river was flowing at 132.87 metre, above the danger level of 129 metre, and Subernarekha at 120.18 metre, just a meter short of the danger level of 121.50 metre, on Thursday.
Authorities said that the rains also led to inundation and flooding in the low-lying areas. Over 300 houses in Jugsalai, Bagbera, Sonari, Kadma, Mango and Sidhgora in the urban circle are estimated to have suffered flooding.
Similarly, reports from different blocks of Ghatshila subdivision confirmed that water gushed into scores of houses in Baharagora, Chakulia, Musaboni and Dhalbhumgarh, among other places.
“Shifting of people from the affected areas to the nearest shelter homes is underway and continuous appeal through miking is being done,” East Singhbhum DC Suraj Kumar said.
Notably, 17,000 people have been evacuated to the temporary shelters in the district. The DC also informed that restoration of the electricity and water supply is going on at pace in the district.
The NDRF teams have been deployed in the rescue of the people from flooded areas. At a few places in Kadma and Jugsalai, boats were pressed into service to rescue people from flooded houses.
“At Gwala basti in Kadma, 35 houses were completely inundated but several families were not willing to shift to safer places as they were unwilling to leave their belongings behind,” said Arup, a social worker, who is helping supply drinking water, food and medicine to affected families.
The district administration has suspended the Covid vaccination drive till the next order. Earlier, the drive was stopped for two days in anticipation of cyclone Yaas.
In the adjoining Seraikela-Kharsawan district, the authorities have warned people that heavy rains and gusty winds will continue on Thursday, so the latter should not take the risk of venturing out of their houses.
DC Arava Rajkamal said the administration was on alert mode and officials were keeping an eye on the weather conditions.
Meanwhile, there was no report of loss of life or any major damage to property from any area in the Kolhan division till the filing of this report.