Torrential rain on Saturday night wreaked havoc in the Potka block of East Singhbhum. The heavy rainfall resulted in a flood-like situation across multiple villages in Potka. The Love Kush English School hostel in Pandarshuli village, situated near the Gudra River, was severely impacted when the river’s water level surged past the danger mark. As the hostel housed 162 children asleep, water began to seep inside. To escape the rising water, all children sought refuge on the roof, where they remained for five hours, gripped by fear.
Upon receiving the news, residents from Pandarshuli and nearby villages swiftly responded, arriving at the scene during the night. The villagers promptly alerted the administration. Early Sunday, officials including BDO Arun Kumar Munda, CO Nikita Bala, and Kowali police station in-charge Dhananjay Paswan, initiated rescue and relief efforts. With the combined efforts of villagers and the administration, all children were safely evacuated using ropes and relocated to higher ground, preventing a major catastrophe. The families of the children and the villagers experienced considerable fear and worry throughout the overnight rescue operation.
Simultaneously, the Gudra River’s elevated water levels caused water to overflow several crucial bridges, causing a complete standstill in the area’s transportation. Nidhidipa village also faced flooding due to the rainfall. Water inundated numerous homes in the village, resulting in the loss of several goats and the washing away of a car by the strong current. Similarly, the Khadaband Primary School was flooded, with water entering the school premises. The villagers are now in a state of panic due to this natural disaster. The administration has confirmed that relief operations are ongoing and all affected individuals will be accommodated in safe locations until the water levels normalize.