Raipur: Cyclone Arnab, which formed over the Bay of Bengal, has brought three days of torrential rainfall to Chhattisgarh, severely disrupting normal life across the Raipur, Bilaspur, Bastar, Durg and Surguja divisions.
Several roads remain submerged, traffic has been halted on multiple routes and connectivity has been disrupted in several areas. Rivers and streams across the state have also swollen, prompting authorities to issue Orange and Yellow alerts for several districts.
Chhattisgarh Schools Shut Amid Heavy Rain
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai has ordered a complete holiday for all government, private and aided schools across Chhattisgarh on Saturday.
The Chief Minister said heavy rainfall could result in waterlogging, rising water levels in rivers and streams and difficulties for commuters. He said the decision was taken to ensure the safety of schoolchildren.
Sai urged parents to keep children at home, remain vigilant and avoid unnecessary travel.
District Collectors and concerned departments have been directed to implement the order effectively and remain on high alert for relief and rescue operations.
Rivers Rise, Flood Threat Grows in Several Districts
In Mahasamund district, intermittent heavy rain over the past two days has disrupted normal life. The water level of the Mahanadi River has risen sharply due to continuous rainfall and releases from the Gangrel Dam, causing rivers and streams to overflow.
In Bamhani village, a government liquor shop was surrounded by floodwaters, trapping two security guards, Chhagan Lal Kurre and Eid Kumar Tandan. The two later released a video confirming that they were safe, following which a rescue team successfully evacuated them.
The administration has issued an alert for 18 villages located along riverbanks.
The Bastar division and adjoining districts have also experienced the impact of the weather system. Continuous heavy rain has caused several rivers and streams to overflow, submerging major roads and disrupting inter-district connectivity.
Dams Release Water as Reservoirs Near Full Capacity
All 14 gates of the Gangrel Dam in Dhamtari have been opened after the reservoir reached more than 98 per cent of its capacity. Around 50,000 cusecs of water are being released into the Mahanadi through the Rudri Barrage.
The Murumsilli Dam is at full capacity, while the Dudhawa and Sondhur dams in Balod have crossed 90 per cent capacity.
The overflowing Hatkul River near Dhamtari headquarters has also cut off several surrounding villages.
Water has additionally been released from the Bango Dam in Korba and the Khatiguda Dam in Odisha, sending around 500,000 cubic metres of water downstream and rapidly increasing the water level of the Indravati River.
Hundreds of villages in Sukma, Kanker, Bijapur, Jagdalpur, Narayanpur and Dantewada face a potential flood threat following large-scale water releases from Odisha’s Kalahandi region, according to reports and sources.
District administrations have placed rescue teams on standby, directed officials to maintain constant vigilance and identified safe locations in riverside villages along the Mahanadi for possible relocation of residents.
Authorities continue to closely monitor the situation as the weather system gradually weakens, with citizen safety remaining the top priority.