Dozens rescued from flooded areas as nine relief camps provide shelter, food and medical aid; administration on high alert amid rising Indravati River
TFP Bureau, Raipur, September 25, 2026: Torrential rains triggered by cyclonic storm ‘Arnab’ have led to a flood-like situation in several parts of Bastar district, disrupting road connectivity and inundating low-lying areas. Acting on Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai’s directives, the district administration and disaster management teams have launched relief and rescue operations on a war footing.
More than 350 people have so far been shifted to nine relief camps across the district, where arrangements have been made for food, drinking water, accommodation and basic healthcare. Rescue teams have also evacuated dozens of people stranded by rising floodwaters.
Rescue operations launched in affected areas
Under the supervision of Collector Akash Chhikara, rescue teams used boats to evacuate around 40 people stranded by floodwaters in the Bodna River area near Nagarnar. The rescued people were shifted to a temporary relief camp at the local Gram Panchayat building.
In Tokapal, 25 families stranded in Ghat Dhanora were evacuated to safer locations. Families affected by inundation in low-lying areas of Palwa and the Bheja area of Lohandiguda were also shifted to safe places and Panchayat buildings.
Nine relief camps shelter over 350 people
Nine relief camps are currently operational in Bastar district. Jagdalpur has reported the largest impact, with 175 people accommodated in four relief camps. More than 100 affected people are being provided food and accommodation at Shaheed Bhagat Singh School.
Around 40 people are staying at the Nadi Bodna relief camp in the Nagarnar area, while 77 have been accommodated at the Bhaisgaon camp in Bastar tehsil. Another 35 people are sheltered at the Belgaon relief centre in Bakawand block and 26 at the camp established at Gram Panchayat Bheja in Lohandiguda.
The administration said essential services, including food, drinking water, accommodation and primary healthcare, were being provided at all relief camps.
Collector, SP inspect vulnerable areas
Collector Akash Chhikara and Superintendent of Police Shalabh Sinha visited several affected and vulnerable locations on Friday to review the rescue and relief operations.
The officials inspected waterlogged areas including Gangamunda Para, Mahadev Ghat, Khadakghat, the area near Medical College Hospital in Dimrapal and Nadi Bodna along the Nagarnar-Bhejapadar route.
They interacted with affected families and reviewed arrangements at relief camps. Field officials were instructed to maintain round-the-clock surveillance in vulnerable areas and undertake immediate rescue operations whenever required.
Indravati water level rises, vigilance stepped up
Continuous rainfall has led to a rise in the water level of the Indravati River, prompting increased vigilance in riverbank and low-lying areas.
Three gates of the Khatiguda Dam and two gates of the Muran Dam in Odisha have been opened to release excess water from the Indravati system. The Bastar administration has consequently intensified monitoring of villages located along the river and in vulnerable low-lying areas.
Boat-equipped rescue teams have been deployed in waterlogged and cut-off areas, including Mandhota and Belgaon in Bakawand. Control rooms, telephone networks and field teams are being used to monitor the situation and coordinate emergency assistance.
The administration has also kept preparations ready for opening additional relief camps and increasing the availability of relief material if the situation worsens.
Public advised against crossing flooded routes
The district administration has appealed to residents to exercise caution and avoid crossing swollen rivers, streams, bridges and culverts submerged by floodwaters. People have also been advised not to rely on rumours and to immediately report emergencies to the flood disaster control room or local revenue officials.
The administration, police and disaster management teams are working in coordination to monitor the situation and conduct rescue and relief operations. Officials said the immediate priority was to ensure the safety of people stranded or affected by the flooding and provide timely assistance to affected families.
