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Ranchi. Due to the activation of the deep depression in the Bay of Bengal, torrential rains in most parts of Jharkhand for the last 48 hours have completely disrupted life. Due to continuous heavy rains, the state’s major rivers—Swarnarekha, Kharkai, Damodar and Koel—are in spate and are on the verge of crossing the danger mark at many places. Water has entered houses and shops due to waterlogging in low-lying areas including the capital Ranchi, Jamshedpur, Dhanbad, Bokaro and Ramgarh. At the same time, due to poor visibility and adverse weather, air services at Birsa Munda Airport in Ranchi have been seriously affected, where at least 6 major flights had to be cancelled.
The state disaster management department and district administrations have been put on 24-hour alert mode. In many districts, rural areas have lost contact with the district headquarters due to water flowing over bridges. Meteorological Centre, Ranchi has issued orange and red alert of heavy to very heavy rain in many districts of the state for the next 24 hours, with the situation expected to worsen further.
Due to continuous rains, the water level in all the major water sources and dams of the state is rising rapidly:
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The fierce form of Swarnarekha and Kharkai: Swarnrekha and Kharkai rivers in Jamshedpur (East Singhbhum) are flowing above the warning level. River water has entered the low-lying areas of coastal settlements – Baguhatu, Kadma, Bagbera and Mango, following which the administration has started shifting people to safer places and relief camps.
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Compulsion to release water from dams: The radial gates of Maithon, Panchet, Chandil, Tenughat and Getalsud dams have been opened after the water level reached near the maximum capacity. Due to the continuous release of millions of cusecs of water from the dams, the threat of floods in the downstream areas has further increased.
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Alert in coastal areas: The Water Resources Department has issued a warning by sounding sirens in all coastal areas asking people to stay away from river banks and move cattle to higher places.
Due to bad weather and dense clouds, passengers traveling by air are facing a lot of difficulties. Visibility at Birsa Munda Airport in Ranchi fell well below the minimum operating standard of the runway:
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Cancellation of flights: At least six regular flights to and from Ranchi from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Bengaluru were canceled due to security reasons.
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Passenger problems: Hundreds of passengers were stranded in the terminal building for several hours. Airlines companies (IndiGo, Air India) have given passengers the option to track flight status online and get free re-scheduling or full refund for the affected flights.
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Road and rail traffic also slowed down: Due to heavy rains, the speed of vehicles has stopped due to waterlogging and landslides at many places on Ranchi-Patna and Ranchi-Tata National Highways. Timings of some passenger trains have also been rescheduled due to water logging on railway tracks.
In view of the possibility of flood, the Chief Minister and the Chief Secretary have held an emergency review meeting with all the Deputy Commissioners (DC) and Superintendents of Police (SP):
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Relief and rescue operations: NDRF and SDRF teams have been deployed with boats and life-jackets in sensitive areas of East Singhbhum, Seraikela-Kharsawan and Ranchi.
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Establishment of relief camps: Relief camps have been set up in government schools and community buildings, where food, pure drinking water and medicines are being arranged for the displaced families.
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Control Room activated: 24×7 disaster control rooms have been set up at the district level. The general public has been appealed not to try to cross the submerged bridges and completely follow the safety protocols issued by the local administration.
According to the Meteorological Department, until the weather system originating from the Bay of Bengal weakens and moves ahead, the rainy season is likely to continue in the state, due to which it remains a big challenge for the administration to handle the situation.