Rains Batter Jharkhand, Claim Five Lives

Torrential rains have unleashed devastation across Jharkhand, claiming five lives, leaving one person missing, and injuring several others, officials reported on Saturday morning. The relentless downpour, driven by an active southwest monsoon, has caused widespread disruption, with collapsed homes, swollen rivers, and waterlogged areas plaguing multiple districts. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued warnings of continued heavy rainfall through August 25, urging residents to remain vigilant.

In Seraikela-Kharsawan district, a tragic house collapse in Dandu village, Rajnagar block, claimed the lives of a woman and her seven-year-old son on Friday night. The victims, part of Santosh Lohar’s family, were among relatives visiting their mud-and-thatch (kuchcha) home when it gave way under the rain’s onslaught. “The woman and her son succumbed during treatment at MGM Hospital in Jamshedpur. Eight others were injured,” said Malay Das, Rajnagar’s Block Development Officer (BDO), to PTI. The injured are receiving medical care, with some in critical condition.

Another incident in the same district struck Kol Shimla under Kharsawan police station on Saturday morning, where a five-year-old child perished and three others were injured after a wall collapsed due to heavy rain. Police are investigating the structural failures, noting that many rural homes, built with mud and minimal reinforcement, are vulnerable during monsoons.

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In Chatra district, a couple was swept away by a swollen river in Katghara village, Gidhour block, on Friday. “The husband’s body was recovered, but the wife remains missing,” said Rahul Dev, Gidhour’s BDO. Search operations are ongoing, hampered by strong currents and poor visibility. Additionally, a rain-related death was reported in Khairatola village, Pathalgada block, though details remain scarce.

The IMD’s Ranchi Meteorological Centre reported that a low-pressure system over northeast Jharkhand is fueling the intense rainfall, with districts like Ranchi, Khunti, and Saraikela recording significant precipitation. On Thursday, Saraikela received 43 mm of rain, contributing to a state-wide surplus of 103% above normal for June to August. The agency has issued an orange alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall in several districts, warning of potential flash floods, landslides, and lightning strikes.

Local authorities have mobilized disaster response teams, with the State Disaster Response Force assisting in rescue and relief efforts. Schools in affected areas have been closed, and road transport faces disruptions due to waterlogging and damaged infrastructure. Chief Minister Hemant Soren has directed officials to provide immediate aid to affected families, with compensation processes underway for the victims’ kin. As Jharkhand braces for more rain, the focus remains on safeguarding vulnerable communities and preventing further loss of life.

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