PINAKI MAJUMDAR
Jamshedpur, Aug 9: A threat of flood looms large in low-lying areas of steel city and its adjoining areas due to the rising water level of two rivers – Subarnarekha and Kharkai – caused by the opening of as many as nine radial gates of Chandil dam.
Incessant rains prompted the authorities of the state water resources department to open the radial gates of Chandil dam on Sunday evening.
The water level of both the rivers was flowing close to the danger mark this morning.
According to the flood control cell, on Monday at 8.30 am, the water level of Subernarekha at Mango, East Singhbhum, was around 119 metres while the danger level is 121.5 metres.
River Kharkai in Adityapur, adjoining Seraikela-Kharsawan district, was flowing at 128.39 metres against the danger mark of 129 metres.
At Chandil dam, nine of its gates were opened to release 708.3 cumec (cubic meter per seconds) water. The level at the dam stood at around 185.50 metres, well below its danger mark of 192 metres.
The rising water level promoted the East Singgbhum district administration to issue an alert in low-lying areas.
People residing in low-lying areas of Mango, Adityapur, Bagbera, Sidhgora, Bhuiyandih and Kadma were asked to move to safer places.
Late last night water entered several slums in Mango, Bhuiyandih and Baridih located close to river Subernarekha.
The administration also started public announcements through local urban bodies in low-lying areas of Jamshedpur, including Shastrinagar, Bagbera, Mango and Jugsalai, asking residents to be prepared to move to relief centres – community halls, public and government buildings – fast if the rivers overflowed.
The district flood cell was issuing two-hourly bulletins about the water level in both rivers.
Officials of the Jamshedpur Notified Area Committee ( JNAC ) said public announcements are being made in low-lying areas, urging residents to be prepared for emergency evacuation.
“We have mobilised all disaster management resources,” said Ravi Bharti, an official of the civic body.
The civil defence unit of East Singhbhum has also been asked to be ready with dragon lights and paddle boats for emergency operations at low-lying areas and riverbanks.
