Jamshedpur: Rains triggered by a deep depression over the past three days disrupted normal life across Kolhan’s East Singhbhum, Seraikela-Kharsawan and West Singhbhum districts, raising river levels and flooding low-lying areas.Intermittent heavy to moderate rainfall between Sept 23 and 25 pushed Kharkai and Subarnarekha close to the danger mark, while Sanjay and Vijay rivers in Seraikela-Kharsawan and West Singhbhum were in spate. Releases from Chandil Dam (1,574.38 cumecs), Ganjia Barrage (559.50 cumecs) and Galudih Barrage (1,571.86 cumecs) worsened the rise.Three kutcha houses collapsed in Rangring village of Bandgaon block, and more than 50 houses were submerged in Chakradharpur block on Thursday. In Seraikela, water entered agricultural fields in more than 30 villages after Chandil Dam released water.Rural markets in Kharsawan, Seraikela, Noamundi, Chaibasa, Chakulia and Ghatsila saw thin turnout for the third consecutive day on Friday. Several inter-district passenger vehicles stayed off the roads as commuter movement fell, with the Jamshedpur-Chaibasa, Jaduguda-Chakulia and Seraikela-Chakradharpur routes among the worst hit. Waterlogging along state highways added to transporters’ woes.“Even National Highway 33 is in a bad condition, particularly the Ranchi-Tata stretch, with waterlogged potholes at several places,” private taxi operator Vipul Kumar said.In Jamshedpur, low-lying areas in Bagbera, Bagunnagar, Transport Nagar, Old Purulia Road and Azadnagar in Mango, besides Shastrinagar and Ramnagar in Kadma and Jugsalai, were inundated.“In the Naya Basti area of Bagbera, water has entered seven houses by Friday afternoon. We are on alert and will inform the administration if the situation worsens,” said Bagbera resident Subodh Jha.Jamshedpur received 207.1 mm of rainfall between Sept 23 and 25. Deputy commissioners of all three districts directed municipal officials to monitor the situation closely and take necessary measures.
