*On Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai’s Instructions, Collector and SP Take Charge, Inspect Sensitive Areas
*DDRF Team Deployed at Shivrinarayan with Motor Boat and Rescue Equipment; Second Team Kept on Reserve at District Headquarters
*Barricading and Police Deployment at Ghats and Bridges; Water Level and River Flow Under Continuous Monitoring
TFP Bureau, Raipur, September 26, 2026: With all 14 gates of Gangrel Dam open and continuous rainfall in Janjgir-Champa district, the district administration is on full alert. Following the Chief Minister’s instructions, the Janjgir Collector and Superintendent of Police conducted field inspections of sensitive areas along the Mahanadi River. They reviewed water levels, river flow, and safety arrangements. The Collector and SP regularly monitor the situation by seeking feedback from concerned officials and issuing directions as needed.
The Collector and SP have directed officials of the Revenue, Police, Water Resources, Home Guard and other concerned departments to remain fully alert. Along with continuous monitoring of the river’s water level and the situation in riverbank areas, necessary resources and equipment have been kept ready to initiate relief and rescue operations immediately in an emergency.
*DDRF Team Deployed at Shivrinarayan; Continuous Coordination with SDRF Bilaspur
Two teams of the District Disaster Response Force (DDRF), comprising Home Guard personnel, have been kept ready to deal with any potential flood or disaster situation in the district. One team has been deployed at Shivrinarayan with a motor boat and other necessary rescue equipment, while the second team has been kept on reserve at the district headquarters. Continuous contact and coordination are also being maintained with SDRF Bilaspur so that additional assistance can be obtained immediately if required.
*Sensitive Locations Including Shivrinarayan and Basantpur Barrages Inspected
The Collector and SP inspected various sensitive locations in the Shivrinarayan area, including the Shivrinarayan Barrage on the Mahanadi River, ghats, bridges, the cultural building and Basantpur Barrage. As a safety measure, barricading has been put in place at ghats and bridges, and the required number of police personnel have been deployed. Officials have been directed to continuously monitor the river’s water level and flow and further strengthen safety arrangements as the situation changes.
During the inspection, officials also reviewed the condition of bridges and culverts over the river and areas used for movement. The Collector and SP directed that if water flow over any bridge or culvert poses a risk to movement, traffic should be controlled immediately and, if necessary, movement should be completely stopped. Continuous monitoring at all such locations has also been directed.
*Collector Directs Public Announcements on Possible Waterlogging in Riverbank Villages; Orders Necessary Arrangements at Safe Locations
The Collector has directed special vigilance in areas along the Mahanadi River and inhabited areas previously affected by waterlogging. The Collector has issued instructions to inform villagers about the possibility of waterlogging and necessary precautions through public announcements. Directions have also been given to keep necessary arrangements ready at pre-identified safe locations so affected people can be shifted there immediately if required.
*Stay Away from River and Areas with Strong Currents; Do Not Risk Safety for Selfies or Videos
The Collector and SP have appealed to citizens to avoid unnecessary visits to rivers, bridges, culverts, and areas with strong currents. They urged people not to take risks by clicking selfies or recording videos near fast-flowing water and to follow safety instructions issued by the administration. People should immediately inform the district administration or concerned officials of any unforeseen or emergency so timely relief and rescue operations can be undertaken.
At present, the situation in the district is normal. As a precautionary measure, the administration is continuously monitoring areas along the Mahanadi River, bridges, culverts and water levels. The Collector and Superintendent of Police have directed officials to remain fully alert and ensure immediate action in the event of any emergency.
During the inspection, Zila Panchayat CEO Shri Vinay Kumar Poyam, SDM Sushri Bhavana Sahu, and officials and employees of the concerned departments were present.
