Flooding cuts off 120 villages in G’chiroli

Chandrapur: Incessant rains since the last 72 hours and overflowing rivers and nullahs in Gadchiroli have cut off more than 120 villages from the district headquarters. While Dhanora, Bhamragarh and Etapalli tehsils have been worst sufferers, the administration claimed 211 villages are affected by floods across the district.
The district has received an average rainfall of 83.37mm during the last 72 hours.Mulchera (239.8mm), Chamorshi (146.2mm), Bhamragarh (125.8mm) and Etapalli (114.8mm) tehsil received heavy rainfall during the last 24 hours. Major rivers like Wainganga, Indravati, Pranhita, Godavari, Dina and Parlkota, along with 10 nullahs, are in spate.
Sironcha-Aasaralli, Alapalli-Bhamragarh, and Kasansur-Etapalli roads are closed since the last three days. Alapalli-Ashti and Ashti-Chandrapur roads were closed on Monday due to overflowing rivers and nullahs. Four other routes, including Chamorshi-Ghot-Mulchera-Alapallli, Gadchiroli-Sakhera-Pendhri-Botehur, Karwafa-Potegaon-Ghot-Markanda and Etapalli-Gatta too are closed for the same reason.
Officials said that 102 houses were damaged due to rains in Gadchiroli district. Illegal excavation of sand from these rivers and low height of bridges are the main reason for the problem. Of the 211 affected villages, 63 belong to Etapalli tehsil. No human casualty was reported in the district.
Chamorshi cops save father, son
Chandrapur: Daredevil efforts of Chamorshi police saved the life of father-son duo who were drowning in a flooded nullah after the boat rescuing them capsized midstream on Saturday night.
Maroti Bhoyar (50) and his father Laxman Bhoyar (70), residents of Kadoli village, were stranded when they went to take a look of their farm on Saturday afternoon. After the villagers alerted cops, a police team took a boat during late night operation to rescue them. However, the boat capsized midstream and the father-son duo was washed away.
But, the police did not lose hopes and began the rescue operation afresh. They found Maroti clinging on to shrubs midstream, while Laxman was seen being washed away. Cops rescued Maroti with the help of another boat. A rescue team alerted the police station and a team of cops was summoned to the bridge 2km away on Kadoli nullah to watch for Laxman. Soon, the second team spotted Laxman floating. PSI Nitesh Gohne jumped into the water and rescued Laxman.
Similarly, a shepherd marooned by flooded Irai river near Hanuman temple close to Chaural bridge on the outskirts was rescued by Chandrapur police. City police got a distressed call from passer-by, who saw the shepherd marooned by the flood water with his cattle, in the evening. A police team led by PSI Atul Daud rushed to the scene and also alerted the disaster management control room. Shepherd Raghunath Tekam was rescued with the help of motorboat.