Tragedy struck Balrampur district in Chhattisgarh when the Lutia dam, dating back approximately 40 years, collapsed on Tuesday night due to heavy rainfall near Dhanesh village. The breach led to the complete destruction of three houses situated below the dam. The floodwaters swept away eight people who were at home and over 30 livestock, including cows and buffaloes. Two bodies were recovered Tuesday night, with two more found Wednesday morning.
An NDRF team is actively engaged in rescue operations to locate the remaining missing individuals. The village is steeped in mourning following the devastating event. The Lutia dam had reached its full capacity. The dam’s collapse, which occurred around 10 p.m. on Tuesday, resulted in widespread destruction. Three homes situated below the dam were completely destroyed.
Injured individuals are receiving medical care at the district hospital. The incident also resulted in the loss of over 30 cows, bulls, and other livestock. Eight people were swept away by the powerful currents, resulting in four fatalities. Four people are still missing. The injured are being treated at the district hospital. The local community reported that the dam had been experiencing substantial water leakage issues over the past three to four years. Repeated requests for dam repairs submitted to the Water Resources Department were reportedly ignored. The villagers further asserted that the dam’s construction in 1976-77 failed to meet quality standards, which contributed to the scale of the disaster.
The District Collector and SP immediately arrived at the scene to assess the damage after the dam broke. They promptly called in the NDRF team, initiating rescue and relief operations. Arrangements were quickly made for relief supplies, including food and shelter, for the impacted families. The district administration is working alongside the rescue teams to provide aid. Families impacted by the dam failure have expressed concerns that only accommodation has been provided at the Panchayat Bhavan. The SDM confirmed that accommodations and meals are being provided. The administration is working to assess the impact on livestock to provide further assistance, and are actively involved in relief efforts.