A bridge over the Banai River in Torpa allegedly collapsed due to relentless heavy rain, reportedly blocking the Khunti–Simdega road in Jharkhand’s Khunti district on Thursday. Torrential downpours for past two days have caused widespread devastation across Jharkhand, resulting in at least four reported deaths, including children, and leaving dozens injured and many trapped.
The NDRF has been deployed for rescue operations, and a red alert reportedly remains in effect for Ranchi, Lohardaga, Gumla, Khunti, and Simdega as a low-pressure system allegedly continues to affect the region, with further heavy rain forecast through June 21.
Devastation and Rescue Efforts Across Jharkhand
The collapse of the Banai River bridge allegedly severed a vital transport link, leaving a truck stranded mid-span and reportedly disrupting travel for thousands of commuters and local residents. Authorities swiftly created a diversion to maintain some road access, while NDRF teams were deployed to the site and other affected areas for rescue and relief operations.
Khunti Deputy Commissioner R Ronita reportedly confirmed the deployment and ongoing efforts to assist those stranded or endangered by the floods and infrastructure failures. The NDRF is also involved in rescue operations at other disaster sites, including a collapsed well in Khunti’s Murhu panchayat, where two schoolboys, aged nine and ten, were trapped for over 22 hours before their bodies were reportedly recovered on Thursday.
The heavy rains have wreaked havoc across Jharkhand, with multiple districts reportedly experiencing collapsed houses, submerged roads, and washed-away bridges. In West Singhbhum’s Chakradharpur, a mud house collapse allegedly killed a woman and injured three children. In Ranchi’s Tamar, a six-year-old girl allegedly died when her home caved in.
A bus crash in Hazaribagh allegedly injured ten passengers amid poor visibility and slippery roads. Six labourers allegedly remain trapped on an under-construction bridge over the Karkari River, with rescue efforts still underway. The relentless downpour has also reportedly led to the cancellation of several trains and severe disruption to road transport across the state.
Weather Warnings and Wider Impact
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in several districts, including Ranchi, Khunti, Lohardaga, Gumla, Simdega, and the Kolhan region, warning of continued adverse weather conditions through June 21.
Jamshedpur reportedly recorded a staggering 247.2 mm of rainfall in a single day—the highest this season—while Seraikela and Ranchi also saw record-breaking downpours. The monsoon, which had initially left the state with a rainfall deficit, has now brought a surplus, with 80.4 mm of rain recorded from June 1 to June 18, surpassing the normal of 74.9 mm.
The Ranchi district administration has allegedly ordered the closure of all government and private schools for the second consecutive day, urging residents to stay indoors and avoid low-lying or flooded areas. Social media platforms have reportedly been flooded with images and videos of waterlogged streets, collapsed buildings, and rescue operations, amplifying public concern and calls for urgent action.
The state government has activated emergency response teams, including the NDRF and local administration, to carry out rescue operations and provide relief to affected communities. The Ranchi Meteorological Centre has advised residents to remain cautious and avoid unnecessary travel, as visibility in affected areas has reportedly dropped to as low as 50 metres due to intense rainfall.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
At The Logical Indian, we stand in solidarity with the people of Jharkhand during this crisis. The scale of loss and disruption underscores the urgent need for resilient infrastructure, robust disaster preparedness, and compassionate governance.
