- Safe rescue of truck drivers stranded in flood-hit NH-30, health check-up and distribution of medicines at relief camps
- As soon as the flood waters recede, special health camps will be organised in the villages, with special emphasis on prevention of waterborne diseases.
Amidst the situation created by heavy rains and floods in Bastar division, on the instructions of Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai, the district administration, police, health department, and relief and rescue teams are active in the affected areas. Along with safely evacuating those stranded by the floods, food, drinking water, and health facilities are being provided in relief camps. Preparations have also been initiated to prevent potential waterborne and infectious diseases after the waters recede.Chief Minister Shri Sai has directed officials to prioritize the safety and health of people in flood-affected areas and to ensure no shortages in relief and rescue operations. Health department teams have been directed to provide essential services to affected families and to maintain constant monitoring.
In the same sequence, relief and rescue teams safely evacuated about half a dozen truck drivers and operators stranded in floodwaters near Sonarpal on National Highway 30. Approximately five trucks were stranded on the Jagdalpur-Raipur road after several feet of water filled the area. Due to the continuously rising water level, the drivers and operators took shelter on the roofs of the trucks and appealed to the administration for help via video.
Upon receiving the information, the district administration, police, and rescue teams, in collaboration with local villagers, launched an operation. Despite strong currents and challenging conditions, everyone was safely evacuated using life jackets and other rescue equipment. Following their rescue, they were transported to the Ganesh Temple, where they were provided with dry clothes, hot food, drinking water, and accommodation.
Meanwhile, health department teams are providing services at relief camps in Jagdalpur and Nagarnar. Led by District Vaccination Officer Dr. Maitri, the urban health department team and Mitanins conducted health checkups for children, women, and the elderly in various camps, including Bhagat Singh Ward, Bhairamganj, Panchpath, and Pravirchandra Ward. Free medicines were also provided to those in need.
Flood-affected villagers from River Bodna village in the Nagarnar area have been safely evacuated and housed in a relief camp set up at the Government Boys Higher Secondary School. Arrangements have been made for health checkups, medicines, clean drinking water, ORS, and first aid.
In view of the potential threat of disease after the floodwaters recede, preparations have begun to set up special health camps in the villages. Collector Mr. Akash Chikkara has directed Chief Medical and Health Officer Dr. Sanjay Basak and District Program Manager of the National Health Mission Ms. Reena Lakshmi to organize intensive health camps in the affected villages with the support of doctors and specialists from the medical college.
These camps will screen and treat waterborne diseases, including vomiting, diarrhea, jaundice, typhoid, fungal and bacterial skin infections. In view of the risk of snakebites and animal bites, adequate availability of anti-venom and essential life-saving medications will be ensured.
Joint teams from the Health Department and the Medical College will reach vulnerable and remote villages to screen people and distribute free medicines, chlorine tablets, and ORS packets. Seriously ill patients will be referred to higher medical institutions for better treatment. Villagers are also being educated about drinking boiled water, eating fresh food, and maintaining cleanliness in their homes and surroundings.
The administration is ensuring monitoring and making necessary arrangements to deal with the health challenges arising after the floods along with relief and rescue operations in the flood affected areas.