Following four consecutive days of relentless rainfall, the swollen Indravati River has inundated vast stretches of Bastar district, leaving a trail of severe damage across riparian settlements. Although precipitation has paused over the past three days and floodwaters have begun a gradual recession, the aftermath remains critical. Residential pockets surrounding Jagdalpur and numerous villages along the riverbanks saw floodwaters submerge residences and wash away household assets.
Over 9,200 Residents Sheltered Across 65 Camps
In response to the widespread inundation, authorities established 65 relief camps throughout Bastar district, currently accommodating more than 9,200 displaced people. Rural households suffered heavy losses as water entered living quarters, ruining everyday belongings and stored provisions. Urban parts of Bastar district experienced similar distress, with water levels reaching waist height inside several dwellings, while houses in lower-lying spots were submerged entirely beneath the deluge.
Destruction in Bade Chakwa and Loss of Paddy Fields
Among the hardest-hit communities is Bade Chakwa village, where between 35 and 45 homes were directly impacted by the overflowing waters. The deputy sarpanch of Chakwa confirmed that approximately 7 to 8 of those houses collapsed completely under the force of the flood. Around 150 village families have taken refuge in the local shelter, having seen their grains, household assets, and daily necessities swept away by currents.
Local resident Budhu Baghel recounted that his home, constructed just two years ago, was entirely submerged before he could retrieve his personal belongings, adding that his planted paddy fields were ruined by standing water. Another resident, Khageshwar Bahte, stated that floodwaters brought down his entire house, drowning his stored paddy and possessions. Able to escape with only a few garments and essential items, he noted that his crops across three to four acres of farmland were lost to the floodwaters.
Farmers Confront Severe Economic Turmoil
The swift currents and surging volume of the Indravati River inflicted structural damage on both kutcha and pucca houses along the embankments. The agricultural fallout is particularly severe for cultivators who had financed their seasonal farming through borrowing. With standing crops submerged and stored harvests waterlogged, farm households across the district now face a difficult economic recovery as waters slowly pull back from ruined structures.
