Daltonganj: A swollen Rajdanda river damaged a more than six-decade-old concrete bridge on SH-9, around 6 km from Mahuadanr block in Latehar district, on Saturday evening. No loss of human or cattle life was reported.The 50-60-metre-long bridge, which has three spans, is a key link on the route to the tourist destination Netarhat. Officials said one of its pillars sank dangerously, causing the slab of a span to collapse and touch the riverbed.Latehar deputy commissioner Sandip Kumar said the region received very heavy rain on Saturday, causing the river to swell. He added that no vehicle was on the bridge when it was damaged.SP Kumar Gaurav said Mahuadanr police and civil officials reached the spot at night and immediately stopped vehicular and pedestrian movement. Tree branches were placed across the bridge as a temporary barricade.Police also warned residents of Bareysanr and Garu against using causeways, which can be submerged by turbulent waters during heavy rain.The district administration advised commuters to take the alternative route via Beltoli, Parha Toli and Nagar Pratappur to reach Mahuadanr. The diversion adds around 10 km to the journey.A road construction department team was sent to assess the damage and prepare a plan and estimate for repairs or reconstruction. The DC said the govt had already sanctioned four bridges in the region and the administration was keen to begin work.Police are maintaining vigil to keep commuters and onlookers away. Officials said traffic would remain suspended until further notice. Residents said the rain-fed river flows over the bridge once or twice during most monsoons, but this year the strong current damaged a pillar and brought down a span.
