Nagpur: Nearly 15,000 people of Bhamragarh in south Gadchiroli remained cut off on Sunday as the swollen Indravati river pushed floodwater into Parlakota and Pamulgautam rivers, keeping the taluka isolated from the rest of the district for over 48 hours now.In an emergency operation directed by district collector Avishyant Panda, three critically ill patients were airlifted by helicopter to Hedri. The only motorable link — National Highway 130-D bridge over Parlakota river near Bhamragad headquarters — stayed submerged. Traffic on the Hemalkasa-Bhamragad stretch remained closed even after local rain had stopped.Collector Panda said the crisis was caused by rain in the upper catchment in Chhattisgarh, not by heavy local showers. Triveni Sangam of three rivers lies about 2 km from the old bridge on Bhamragad-Allapalli road, which went under water on Friday afternoon. Police were posted on both sides and barricades were put up to stop people from crossing.Officials said 63 villages were still marooned. Four major routes stayed shut, which included Hemalkasa-Bhamragad on NH 130-D, Asarali-Somanpalli-Patagudam on NH 63 near Sironcha, Bhamragad-Arewada, and State Highway 380.Villages in Aheri and Sironcha along Indravati river, which is swollen due to 225-250 mm in neighbouring Chhattisgarh, remained on alert. “The strong current of Indravati is holding Parlakota backwaters in the settlements. Water is not draining even as skies have cleared over the taluka,” said tehsildar Gadchiroli Kishore Bagde.Rescue teams shifted 525 persons from danger zones to safer places. Water entered the houses of 252 families, adding to the hardship of residents.Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said teams had been sent to evacuate people. He expected the situation to ease by afternoon. “I am in constant touch. We have done everything necessary there,” Fadnavis said.Sangeeta Chukku Usendi (70) who was brought from Binagonda to Laheri Primary Health Centre (PHC), was flown to Hedri hospital. Apeksha Aalam and Roshan China Madavi were also shifted. Sources stated one patient has sickle-cell disease. Relatives Nirmala Aalam and China Kudyami accompanied them.The helicopter of Lloyds Metals and Energy Ltd, already stationed in the area for medical needs, was deployed at short notice.Tribal development project officer Amar Raut and Bhamragad tehsildar Bagde coordinated the evacuation. Officials said the three patients reached Hedri in time for further treatment.A day earlier, 42-year-old Sukhdev Ugle, who complained of chest pain, was airlifted from Bhamragad to Konsari and then taken by ambulance to Chandrapur.Dr Gopal Roy, superintendent of Lloyds Kali Ammal Memorial Hospital at Hedri, said getting serious patients to hospital on time is a major challenge due to the floods.Authorities said the submerged bridge and closed roads can be reopened only after water levels drop and the structures are declared safe. Administration teams continue to monitor Indravati, Parlakota and Pamulgautam and stay in touch with isolated habitations while waiting for the waters to recede.
