National highway cut off; 16 airlifted by IAF as floods worsen in Bastar

Severe flooding plagued the Indravati river in Chhattisgarh's Bastar region following heavy rains induced by Cyclone Arnab and the opening of dams in neighboring Odisha. At least one person lost their life to drowning. The floodwaters breached the danger mark of 8.3 meters, surging to a peak of 12.39 meters, causing extensive waterlogging in low-lying areas.

National Highway, crucial for connectivity, was severed in districts such as Bijapur and Sukma, leaving several buses stranded on the Raipur-Jagdalpur highway. Residents and truck drivers faced perilous conditions as they clung to their vehicles to escape the rising floodwaters.

Rescue operations were launched, with the Indian Air Force (IAF) playing a pivotal role by airlifting 16 civilians, including women and children, from precarious situations. A total of 1,215 people were rescued across Bastar's seven districts by the district administration, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and disaster management teams. Over three days, 827 individuals were saved through boat rescues.

Notably, 16 civilians were airlifted by the IAF after receiving information about 10-12 stranded people in makeshift huts on the north bank of Indravati near Dongaghat village. The IAF swiftly located the civilians on the rooftop of a hut at risk of collapse, with a Garud commando descending to assist them. They were safely winched aboard the hovering helicopter.

The district administration established 65 relief camps, accommodating more than 9,200 people. These camps provided food, clean drinking water, medical facilities, and essential supplies. As the water level receded, authorities continued monitoring the situation while deploying health personnel at the relief camps.