Heavy downpours batter parts of Chhattisgarh; five killed in rain-related incidents; roads cut off

Chhattisgarh, India – Continuous heavy downpours have battered several parts of Chhattisgarh, leading to inundated low-lying areas, swollen rivers, and significant disruptions to road connectivity. Officials reported on Thursday that at least five individuals have lost their lives in incidents linked to the relentless rainfall.

The worst-affected regions include the Raipur, Bastar, and Durg divisions. Authorities have issued alerts for residents living near riverbanks as water levels continue to rise. One tragic incident involved a 55-year-old man who was swept away while attempting to cross the Sargi stream near Sahaspur village; his body was later recovered downstream.

Roads across the state remain impassable. National Highway-130, connecting Raipur to Odisha, is closed due to severe waterlogging. Several other district roads are also shut, isolating communities. In Gariaband district, the situation is described as critical, with dam gates opened to release excess water. Over 50 students from a residential school were moved to safer ground as a precaution.

Further incidents include the recovery of a couple's bodies after their car was swept away by a flooded rivulet and a young man who drowned at a waterfall. In Bijapur district, rivers are in spate, cutting off hundreds of villages from the district headquarters. A farmer was also killed when a tree fell on him amid the heavy rains.