Raipur, Sep 25: Torrential rains triggered by cyclonic storm Arnab, active over the Bay of Bengal, have created flood-like conditions across several parts of Bastar division, disrupting road connectivity and forcing the administration to launch large-scale relief and rescue operations.

Heavy rainfall since Wednesday has caused rivers and streams to swell, affecting key connecting routes. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai instructed the Bastar district administration, police, and disaster management teams to intensify rescue operations, evacuating people from vulnerable areas and shifting them to relief camps equipped with food, drinking water, accommodation, and primary healthcare facilities.

Under the supervision of Collector Akash Chhikara, rescue teams used boats to evacuate around 40 people stranded in floodwaters near the Bodna river in Nagarnar. They were shifted to a temporary relief camp established in the Gram Panchayat building. In Tokapal, 25 families were evacuated from Ghat Dhanora, while residents of waterlogged low-lying areas in Palwa village and the Bheja area of Lohandiguda were moved to safer locations and Panchayat buildings.

Nine relief camps are currently operational across Bastar district and have provided shelter to more than 350 people. The situation has been particularly severe in Jagdalpur city, where 175 people are staying in four relief camps. More than 100 affected people have been provided food and accommodation at Shaheed Bhagat Singh School. Around 40 people are staying at the Nadi Bodna relief camp in Nagarnar, while 77 have taken shelter at the Bhaisgaon camp in Bastar tehsil. Another 35 people are staying at the Belgaon relief centre in Bakawand block and 26 at the camp established at Gram Panchayat Bheja in Lohandiguda.

The administration is providing food, drinking water, accommodation, and primary healthcare services at all relief camps. Additional camps and relief supplies are being kept ready in case the situation deteriorates further.

Collector Akash Chhikara and Superintendent of Police Shalabh Sinha visited several affected and vulnerable areas on Friday to review the relief and rescue operations. They inspected waterlogged locations including Gangamunda Para, Mahadev Ghat, Khadakghat, areas near the Medical College Hospital at Dimrapal, and Nadi Bodna along the Nagarnar-Bhejapadar route.

The officials also met affected families and reviewed arrangements at relief camps. Field staff were directed to maintain round-the-clock vigilance in vulnerable areas and undertake immediate rescue operations wherever necessary.

The rising water level of the Indravati River has increased the flood threat in low-lying and riverside areas. As a precautionary measure, three gates of Khatiguda Dam and two gates of Muran Dam, both located on the Indravati River in Odisha, have been opened to release excess water. The administration has consequently stepped up monitoring in villages located along the river and other vulnerable areas.

Boat-equipped rescue teams have also been deployed in areas cut off by floodwaters, including Mandhota and Belgaon in Bakawand. Control rooms, telephone networks, and field teams are being used to monitor the situation and ensure that assistance reaches affected residents without delay.

The district administration has appealed to people to exercise extreme caution amid the heavy rainfall and flood conditions. Residents have been advised not to pay heed to rumours and to avoid crossing swollen rivers and streams or attempting to pass through submerged bridges and culverts. In case of an emergency, people have been asked to contact the flood disaster control room or the revenue officials of their respective areas.

The administration said its priority is to evacuate every person stranded by the floods to a safe location and provide timely assistance to affected families.