TFP Bureau, Raipur, September 3, 2025: A major tragedy struck Balrampur district late Tuesday night when the Lutti (Satbahini) Dam in village Dhaneshpur collapsed following incessant heavy rains. The breach unleashed a sudden flow of water that swept away houses, farmland, and livestock in its path. According to official reports, four people have lost their lives, three others sustained serious injuries, and at least three persons are still reported missing. Search and rescue operations are underway on a war footing.
Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai expressed deep sorrow over the incident, calling it “a very painful and heart-wrenching tragedy.” Extending his condolences to the bereaved families, the Chief Minister said, “I pray for peace for the departed souls and a speedy recovery for those injured. The state government stands firmly with the victims during this difficult time.”
Authorities confirmed that the sudden release of water caused widespread damage in Dhaneshpur and surrounding villages. Along with human casualties, the disaster has resulted in severe losses to crops, livestock, and residential structures, leaving several families homeless overnight. Visuals from the site show uprooted huts, submerged fields, and villagers rushing to safer grounds as rescue teams battled heavy rain and challenging terrain.
The district administration, assisted by teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and local volunteers, has launched extensive relief and rescue efforts. Boats have been deployed to trace missing persons, while medical teams are providing emergency treatment to the injured at nearby hospitals. Camps have been set up to provide food, shelter, and essential supplies to displaced families.
Chief Minister Sai has directed the administration to immediately conduct a comprehensive survey of the damages, including loss of life, livestock, crops, and houses. He also instructed officials to prepare proposals for ex-gratia compensation as per government norms for the kin of the deceased. “Temporary shelter, food grains, and other essential items must reach every affected household without delay,” he stressed.
Officials have further been tasked with arranging medical care for the injured and ensuring that relief reaches remote villages cut off due to flooding. The Chief Minister also assured that long-term measures would be initiated to strengthen dams and embankments in flood-prone regions of the state to prevent such disasters in the future.
“This calamity has shaken us all. The state government is constantly monitoring the ground situation and will not leave any stone unturned in providing assistance. We are committed to standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the affected families until normalcy is restored,” CM Sai added.
Meanwhile, teams continue to search for the three missing persons, as families anxiously wait for news of their loved ones. Local villagers, though devastated by the loss, have joined hands with authorities in relief work, reflecting the resilience of the community amidst crisis.
