PTR distributes food, tarpaulins as rain floods Mandal Dam villages
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK Daltonganj, September 3: The Palamu Tiger Reserve (PTR) has launched a humanitarian relief effort for villagers hit by…
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Daltonganj, September 3: The Palamu Tiger Reserve (PTR) has launched a humanitarian relief effort for villagers hit by heavy rain and flooding in the submergence zone of the long-delayed Mandal Dam, distributing essential food items and protective supplies among 36 families in Bhajna and Kutku villages of Garhwa district.
The two villages are among seven settlements officially identified for submergence once the Mandal Dam, also known as the North Koyel Water Reservoir, becomes operational.
The PTR’s Kutku range team distributed tarpaulins, mosquito nets, rice, pulses, edible oil, potatoes, soybean nuggets, salt and spices to 26 families in Bhajna and 10 in Kutku at the Madgari camp late Tuesday evening.
The relief initiative was undertaken on the directions of PTR Field Director S. R. Natesha.
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Heavy rain leaves villages surrounded by water
Ajay Toppo, in-charge of the Kutku range, said residents of Saniya village could not reach the relief distribution point because of heavy rain and difficult terrain.
“Living has become extremely arduous in these villages. Everything is marooned in water,” Toppo said.
He added that even a small church in Kutku has been affected, making it difficult for residents to gather for Sunday Mass.
Seven villages face submergence
Bhajna and Kutku are among the seven villages — Bhajna, Kutku, Saniya, Chemo, Khura, Khaira and Meral — listed for submergence under the Mandal Dam project.
According to irrigation department sources, the villages are predominantly tribal, with nearly 98 per cent of their population belonging to tribal communities. Once the reservoir becomes fully operational, the seven settlements are expected to remain under water throughout the year.
The Mandal Dam is an interstate water project involving Jharkhand and Bihar. Despite the long delay in commissioning the project, the recent heavy rains have already caused severe waterlogging and temporary submergence in Bhajna and Kutku.
The project is expected to provide irrigation to nearly 20,000 hectares in Jharkhand, while its implementation will also require the displacement of around 780 families from the seven villages.
Mandal Dam targeted for 2027 operation
Administrative sources said the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has directed the Union Jal Shakti Ministry and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to ensure that the Mandal Dam becomes operational in 2027.
Palamu MP Vishnu Dayal Ram said work was progressing towards commissioning the project.
Ram said he had recently met WAPCOS chairperson Shilpa Sachin Shinde, IAS, who assured him that the Mandal Dam was expected to become functional by 2027, latest by October.
The MP said the company would undertake electricity and civil engineering works for the allied barrage at Mohammadganj.
Resettlement plan for 780 families
Ram said a comprehensive resettlement plan had been prepared for the 780 families living in the seven villages facing submergence.
“There is a well-designed and meaningful plan for the resettlement of the 780 families of the seven villages that will be submerged once the Mandal Dam becomes operational,” he said.
He added that many residents were keen to move to safer and better-developed locations, as living in an area facing eventual submergence had adversely affected their livelihoods and wages.
