Heavy rains over the past four days have caused havoc in Chhattisgarh leading to massive floods in some areas. The rains lashing since Saturday have caused rivers to overflow while the National Highway in Gariaband has been blocked.
Many roads and streets were waterlogged in Raipur on Tuesday following a downpour in the state capital. The rains were triggered by low pressure over the Bay of Bengal.
Commuters faced problems as vehicles got stranded due to water logging.
In Raipur, low lying areas including Jal Vihar Colony and Anand Nagar were inundated while water up to knee level entered the ancient Mahamaya temple in Purani Basti locality.
Torrential rains were reported in several districts. The worst affected is Gariaband where officials reported a grim flood like situation.
The National Highway 130-C, which passes through the district, was blocked as water overflowed the roads. Traffic was diverted.
Official sources in Gariaband said Malgaon, Chhura and Mantora villages were badly hit. Eight persons were stranded in the flooded area. Two of them were rescued.
Seventeen of the 22 gates of Sikaser dam were opened as the reservoir accumulated 90 percent of the capacity, official sources said. This caused floods in the villages along the river Pairi and rivulets in Gariaband district.
Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) sounded a ‘red alert' for the next 24 hours in the districts of Mungeli, Kabirdham, Bemetara, Rajnandgaon, Balod, Durg and Kanker.
“Thunderstorm with moderate to heavy intensity rains will continue in these districts," it said. An ' orange alert' has been sounded for Raipur district.