look news india
The havoc of the severe cyclonic storm ‘Arnab’ which arose from the Bay of Bengal has now spread beyond the coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha and is clearly visible in the states of Central India. Due to the impact of the storm, the southern and central parts of Chhattisgarh have been completely covered by dense clouds. With the cyclone moving further into the land, torrential rains with strong gusty stormy winds have started in many divisions of the state. The government has come into full action mode after the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) issued ‘Red’ and ‘Orange’ alerts of heavy to extremely heavy rain for many districts of Bastar, Raipur, Durg and Bilaspur divisions. Giving top priority to the safety of children, the state government and concerned district collectors have today declared immediate holiday in all government, non-government (private) schools and Anganwadi centers in the affected 12 districts.
In view of the serious warning of the Meteorological Department and the danger of overflowing rivers and drains in rural and interior areas, District Magistrates (Collectors) of 12 sensitive districts have issued official orders for holiday in schools. The districts where instructions have been given to keep educational institutions closed include:
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Hyper-sensitive districts of Bastar division: Bastar (Jagdalpur), Sukma, Dantewada, Bijapur, Narayanpur, Kondagaon and Kanker. There is a possibility of rapid rise in water level in mountain drains and rivers like Shabari and Indravati in these areas.
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Central and plain areas: Dhamtari, Gariaband, Balod, Rajnandgaon and Mahasamund. Due to their proximity to coastal Odisha, these districts are seeing the direct impact of continuous heavy rains and storms.
Collectors have given strict instructions to all the principals and school managements that no child should be called to school. Teachers and non-academic staff have been instructed to remain present at the headquarters and assist the disaster management team in relief and rescue operations, if necessary.
According to meteorologists, storm ‘Arnab’ is gradually turning into a deep depression after entering the land, but due to the heavy moisture and pressure present within it, there is a possibility of destructive winds blowing at a speed of 50 to 70 kilometers per hour.
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Damage to kutcha houses and tin sheds: There is a big risk of mud houses, tile and tin roofs being blown away in the forest areas of Bastar and Gariaband.
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Possibility of disruption in road connectivity: Due to strong storm, power supply may be disrupted due to falling of old trees and breaking of electric wires on national and state highways.
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Rivers and drains in spate: There are reports of water logging on many bridges and culverts in Sukma and Bijapur, due to which traffic has been stopped as a precautionary measure on many inter-state routes connecting with Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
In the capital Raipur including Durg, Bhilai, Bemetara and Bilaspur, the sun has not been seen since morning and drizzle and drizzle are continuing. According to Raipur Meteorological Center, there may be a huge increase in the intensity of rain from afternoon onwards. To deal with the waterlogging situation in Raipur and surrounding low-lying residential areas, the Municipal Corporation has activated control rooms and deployed drainage pumps. In the coastal villages of Kharun river, announcements are being made to warn people not to go near deep water.
The Chief Minister and the Chief Secretary held an emergency meeting and instructed all the District Collectors and Superintendents of Police to remain on alert mode 24 hours.
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Special rescue teams of State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and Home Guards have been deployed in advance at sensitive locations in Sukma, Dantewada, Bastar and Gariaband with boats, life jackets and wood-cutter machines.
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The Health Department has been instructed to compulsorily keep anti-venom (snake bite medicine), essential life-saving medicines and generator backup operational in all primary and community health centres.
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District Control Rooms have been activated 24 hours and emergency helpline numbers have been issued for the general public.
The administration has appealed to the common citizens not to come out of their permanent homes unless there is some urgent work. Especially do not try to cross submerged bridges, bridges and overflowing drains. At the same time, farmers have been advised to keep the harvested paddy crop in the fields covered with tarpaulin at safe and high places, so that the hard work of the year can be protected from damage due to unseasonal torrential rains.