Torrential rains across South Chhattisgarh have triggered severe flooding in Bastar division, claiming at least five lives, while three others, including two schoolgirls remain missing.
Heavy rainfall since Monday night caused major rivers, including the Indravati, to swell and submerge vast tracts of land across Bastar, Dantewada, Sukma, and Bijapur districts.
Authorities have so far confirmed five deaths, with three more bodies yet to be recovered. Among the casualties were two schoolgirls who drowned when their boat capsized in Bijapur’s Indravati river on August 25.
A separate tragedy was reported on National Highway 30, where a Tamil Nadu family of four—Rajesh (42), his wife Pavitra (32), and daughters Sovitra (10) and Sofania (8), were swept away after their car plunged from a flooded bridge near Darbha. The driver managed to swim to safety.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, currently on an official visit to Japan, reviewed the situation via video call with Bastar Commissioner Doman Kumar Singh. He directed officials to ensure “relief operations are carried out with utmost urgency and without any lapse.”
Sai added, “The safety of our people is the government’s foremost priority. All necessary resources are being mobilised to support the affected families.”
Rescue operations are underway in Lohandiguda, Darbha, and Tokapal blocks, where SDRF teams, aided by helicopters and boats, evacuated more than 68 villagers in the past 24 hours. Commissioner Singh said, “Our immediate focus is to prevent further loss of life. Crop damage assessment will be taken up once relief measures stabilise.”
Revenue Secretary Reena Baba Saheb Kangale confirmed that several kutcha houses had collapsed in Bijapur and livestock losses were considerable. Police personnel, she added, were helping families recover belongings and move them to relief camps.
With roads damaged and bridges washed away, connectivity remains a major challenge. Relief measures are continuing on a war footing even as forecasts of further rain keep residents and authorities on high alert.