A major incident unfolded in Chhattisgarh’s Balrampur district as the Lutia dam collapsed on Tuesday night due to intense rainfall. The dam, situated near Dhanesh village, had been in operation for approximately 40 years. The breach resulted in the complete destruction of three houses located downstream. Eight residents, who were asleep at the time, were swept away, along with a large number of livestock, estimated to be over 30 cows, bulls, and other cattle. Two bodies were recovered on Tuesday night, with two more found on Wednesday morning.
Rescue operations are ongoing, led by the NDRF team, to locate the missing individuals. The village is grappling with grief in the wake of the tragedy. The Lutia dam was filled to its maximum capacity before the collapse, which occurred around 10 p.m. on Tuesday, causing extensive damage to the surrounding area. The force of the water completely destroyed three houses below the dam.
Injured individuals are receiving medical attention at the district hospital. Besides the human casualties, over 30 cattle are feared to have perished. The strong currents swept away eight people, resulting in four confirmed deaths. Four individuals remain unaccounted for. The injured are being treated at the district hospital. Local residents report that the dam experienced significant water leakage for several years. They had also submitted multiple applications to the Water Resources Department requesting repairs, but these requests were not acted upon. Villagers have pointed to the poor construction quality of the dam, built around 1976-77, as a major factor contributing to the severity of the disaster.
The District Collector and SP immediately reached the site to assess the damage after the dam’s collapse. They called in the NDRF team, who initiated rescue operations. The authorities quickly arranged for relief supplies, including food and accommodation, for the affected families. The district administration is coordinating relief efforts with the rescue team. However, affected families have voiced concerns that the district administration has only provided accommodation at the Panchayat Bhavan and little other support. The SDM has stated that provisions have been made for the affected families’ accommodation and meals. The administration is assessing the loss of livestock and will provide relief accordingly, continuing their efforts.