PINAKI MAJUMDAR
Jamshedpur, Sept 16: A fear of flash flood looms large over Jamshedpur as the water level of both the rivers – Subernarekha and Kharkai – witnessed an abrupt rise due to incessant rains for the last 48 hours.
According to officials of the state water resources department, the Kharkai river has touched the danger mark while the water level of the Subernarekha river has also increased significantly.
DC alerts people living in low-lying areas
Deputy Commissioner of East Singhbhum Ananya Mittal appealed to the people living in the low-lying areas to remain alert and safe.
He appealed people to stay away from the river banks and move to safer places.
Local MLA and state health minister Banna Gupta also asked district administrative officials to keep a watch on the situation and take necessary measures in areas which have a threat of getting submerged.
The minister also asked his partymen to visit the low-lying areas and extend necessary help to the affected people.
Also Read- Jharkhand Weather: Depression to trigger heavy rain at several places today
The prevailing depression over Jharkhand caused heavy to moderately heavy rainfall in the state during the last 24 hours.
The forecast suggests that the rains will continue today.
Weather condition is expected to improve from tomorrow.
Subernarekha River
Danger level: 121.50 mts.
Current level: 118.84 mts. (at Mango bridge site)
Kharkai River
Danger level: 129 mts.
Current level: 129.070 mts. (at Adityapur bridge site)
People living on riverbanks advised to move to safer places
An alarm was sounded in the Singhbhum-Kokhan region after Odisha opened two sluice gates of a dam on Kharkai.
The local administration this afternoon pressed into service a mobile public address system to warn people of the rising water level in the Subarnarekha and Kharkai.
People living on the riverbanks were advised to move to safer places.
The radial gates on the Dimna Lake, too, had to be opened today.
While rain is good news for paddy growers, agriculture scientists had a word of caution for farmers growing maize and vegetables.
Unless the water is drained out and the crops treated with the right dose of pesticides, they feared, the two crops might be damaged.
