Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai reached flood-hit Sukma district on Monday to assess damage, meet affected families and inspect relief centres as heavy rain and swollen rivers kept parts of the state on alert. More than 850 people had been accommodated in relief camps in Sukma by Friday, while authorities in Janjgir-Champa stopped traffic on a bridge over the Mahanadi as water levels rose.
Sai toured flood- and waterlogging-affected areas in Sukma and reviewed rescue and relief operations. Officials briefed him on arrangements for food, drinking water, medicines and temporary shelter at relief camps. He directed the administration to ensure there was no gap in rescue work or basic facilities for residents displaced by the flooding.
The chief minister also sought continuous monitoring of vulnerable and low-lying areas. His schedule included visits to other affected locations in Bastar and Jagdalpur during the day as district administrations continued to track river levels and the condition of settlements exposed to flooding.
Sukma has faced sustained rain over the past few days, with the administration using relief camps to accommodate residents from affected areas. The district authorities have been monitoring locations vulnerable to waterlogging and flooding while coordinating rescue and relief operations.
The situation also remained serious along the Mahanadi in Janjgir-Champa district. Collector Janmejay Mahobe and Superintendent of Police Vijay Kumar Pandey inspected the Shivrinarayan barrage, the bridge and adjoining low-lying areas. They also reviewed arrangements at a relief camp established at Mahant Laldas College.
Traffic on the Mahanadi bridge at Shivrinarayan was stopped as a precaution following the increase in water flow. Police and revenue teams were deployed to prevent residents from approaching the river, ghats and other vulnerable points. Public announcements were being made in riverside settlements, asking residents to remain alert and move to safer locations if instructed by the administration.
Officials said the relief centre had arrangements for food, safe drinking water, lighting, sanitation and toilets. Health teams were conducting check-ups and had been asked to monitor infections and illnesses associated with waterlogging. The response also included continued surveillance of rivers, bridges and low-lying settlements.
Sai has directed district administrations in affected areas to prioritise safety and timely evacuation. Rescue teams and local officials are continuing to monitor flood conditions and the need for further relief measures.
