The flood situation in Bihar remains a major concern as the Ganga and several other rivers continue to flow at high levels, putting low-lying areas at risk of inundation and disrupting normal life in several parts of the state. Authorities have intensified monitoring, rescue preparedness and relief operations in vulnerable districts as water levels remain elevated.

The Ganga has crossed critical levels at several locations, while rivers including the Gandak, Kosi, Ghaghra, Punpun and Budhi Gandak are also flowing above danger marks at multiple points. The rising water levels have increased the risk for communities living along riverbanks and in low-lying areas.

Ganga crosses critical level in Patna

The situation is particularly significant in Patna, where the Ganga recently crossed its highest flood mark at Gandhi Ghat. The river's water level rose sharply amid heavy rainfall, increasing the possibility of flooding in vulnerable parts of the city and surrounding areas. 

The latest developments have prompted authorities to maintain close surveillance of river levels and embankments while preparing for further escalation.

More than 10 lakh people affected

According to official bulletins cited in recent reports, around 10.26 lakh people across 11 districts had been affected by the floods. The situation has also affected transportation and everyday activities in several areas. (Business Standard)

Saran is among the districts reporting significant flood-related disruption, with rising levels of the Ganga, Saryu and Gandak affecting villages and forcing residents to rely on boats in inundated areas. (The Economic Times)

NDRF, SDRF teams deployed

The Bihar government has stepped up emergency preparedness, with 33 rescue teams, including six NDRF and 27 SDRF teams, deployed in vulnerable areas. Nearly 700 government-operated boats are also being used for evacuation, transportation and relief operations. (The Indian Express)

Authorities have also been instructed to keep relief camps and community kitchens operational in affected areas so that food and other essential supplies can reach residents who are unable to leave their homes easily.

Embankments and vulnerable areas under watch

With river levels remaining high, officials are closely monitoring embankments and other vulnerable points. Ground-level assessments are being carried out in flood-affected areas to identify locations requiring immediate intervention.

The administration has also been asked to ensure that relief material reaches affected communities without delay and that rescue resources remain available in areas facing a worsening flood threat.

Railway services affected

The rising water levels have also affected railway operations in parts of Bihar. Several trains have reportedly been cancelled or diverted because of flooding and water levels at vulnerable locations. (The Indian Express)

The disruption adds to the difficulties faced by residents in flood-affected districts, particularly those dependent on rail connectivity for travel and access to essential services.

Rain and rising rivers keep authorities alert

The flood situation comes amid continued rainfall in parts of Bihar and neighbouring regions. The India Meteorological Department's latest forecast has also indicated the possibility of heavy rainfall in Bihar, making continued monitoring necessary. (The Economic Times)

For residents in low-lying and riverbank areas, authorities have urged continued vigilance and adherence to local advisories. With several major rivers still running at elevated levels, the immediate focus remains on preventing loss of life, ensuring evacuation where necessary and maintaining uninterrupted delivery of food, water and other essential supplies.

The administration is expected to continue monitoring the situation closely as river levels and rainfall patterns evolve over the coming days.

More than 40 people fell ill after a chlorine gas leak at a water treatment plant in Nagpur's Godhni area early Monday, triggering an emergency response by police, fire officials and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). Several affected residents reported coughing and breathing difficulties after the gas spread into nearby residential areas. 

The leak was reported around 1 am at the Godhni Municipal Council Water Treatment Plant operated by the Maharashtra Jeevan Pradhikaran. According to reports, chlorine escaped from a cylinder with a capacity of around 900 kg. Local police and administrative officials alerted residents in the surrounding settlements and advised them to move to safer locations. Several people were taken to Sparsh Hospital in Zingabai Takli and Mayo Hospital for treatment. Reports said the affected group included plant workers as well as local residents, while some patients required intensive care. 

Emergency teams reach site

The Nagpur Municipal Corporation's fire department sent two water tenders and personnel equipped with breathing apparatus after receiving information about the leak. Teams from Orange City Water and the NDRF also joined the response. NDRF personnel entered the affected plant wearing protective equipment as efforts were made to contain and neutralise the leaking chlorine. 

Authorities imposed precautionary restrictions around the plant as the gas spread through the nearby locality. Residents were advised to remain away from the affected area, with reports indicating a 200-metre safety perimeter around the facility during the initial response. Officials said chlorine concentration in the surrounding area was gradually declining and the situation was coming under control.

Investigation into leak

The exact cause of the chlorine leak has not yet been established. Police have begun an inquiry into the incident. The affected facility and the handling of the chlorine cylinder are likely to remain under scrutiny as authorities assess how the leak occurred and whether additional safety measures are required. 

The incident comes as emergency agencies continue to monitor the affected locality and assist residents and those undergoing treatment. The immediate priority remains ensuring that the remaining gas does not pose a further risk and that people exposed to the leak receive medical attention. Further details on the condition of those hospitalised and the cause of the leak are expected as officials complete their assessment.

At least three workers are feared trapped inside an under-construction tunnel at a hydroelectric project site in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district after water and debris entered the tunnel on Thursday evening. Sixteen workers have been rescued, officials said.

The incident occurred at the Tehri Hydro Development Corporation (THDC) Limited's project site in the Pipalkoti area. Construction work at the site is being carried out by the Hindustan Construction Company (HCC).

18–19 Workers Were Trapped

According to information released by the Uttarakhand government, around 18 to 19 workers were inside the tunnel when water and debris suddenly entered at around 7 pm.

Rescue teams initially managed to bring out eight workers. Another eight workers were subsequently rescued, taking the total number of people brought out safely to 16.

Officials said some of the rescued workers suffered minor injuries, but their condition was reported to be stable.

Rescue Operation Underway

A large-scale rescue operation has been launched to locate and evacuate the remaining workers.

Teams from the Uttarakhand Police, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and other agencies reached the site shortly after receiving information about the incident.

A National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team from Rudraprayag has also been sent to Pipalkoti. Teams from the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and the Army have been deployed to assist in the operation.

Chamoli District Magistrate Gaurav Kumar reached the site and is overseeing the rescue efforts.

CM Dhami Orders Swift Action

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed concern over the incident and directed officials to conduct rescue and relief operations on a priority basis.

Dhami said the government's foremost objective was to ensure the safe evacuation of every worker still believed to be inside the tunnel.

The chief minister said he was receiving real-time updates on the rescue operation and instructed the concerned agencies to work with urgency.

Chief Secretary Reviews Situation

Uttarakhand Chief Secretary Anand Vardhan said the administration had received information that several workers were trapped after water and debris entered the tunnel.

Officials are coordinating the response through multiple agencies as rescue personnel work to reach the remaining workers.

Vinod Kumar Suman, Secretary of the Disaster Management and Rehabilitation Department, said the situation was being continuously monitored through emergency operation centres.

He added that additional teams would be deployed if required.

Focus on Safe Evacuation

The priority for rescuers is to establish access to the section of the tunnel where the remaining workers are believed to be trapped and safely bring them out.

Authorities have not yet released detailed information about the exact cause of the sudden water and debris flow.

The incident has prompted the mobilisation of multiple disaster-response and security agencies as the rescue operation continues at the Pipalkoti project site.

At least five people were killed after a landslide struck a residential area in Mumbai's Ghatkopar early Wednesday morning, while rescue teams continued an intensive search for people feared trapped beneath the debris.

The incident occurred around 3:48 am at Gaushiya Chawl in Chirag Nagar, Ghatkopar, according to information shared by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) Mumbai Fire Brigade. A portion of a hillside collapsed, sending debris onto two to three houses in the densely populated area.

Five People Killed

Officials said five people had died in the incident. Four to five others were initially feared trapped under the rubble as rescue teams began clearing the collapsed material.

The operation involves personnel from the Mumbai Fire Brigade, Mumbai Police and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).

Specialised victim-detection cameras are being used to search the debris for signs of life, allowing rescuers to inspect areas that cannot be accessed immediately through conventional methods.

Rescue Operation Underway

Rescue teams have been working through the debris while authorities assess the stability of the affected hillside and surrounding structures.

Officials said the exact number of people trapped could not immediately be confirmed. DCP Ganesh Shinde said three to four people were suspected to remain trapped beneath the debris as the operation continued.

The bodies recovered from the site were sent to a hospital for further procedures. Police said further legal action and investigation would follow.

Two Injured in Hospital

Two people injured in the landslide were taken to hospital and were reported to be stable.

They were identified as 18-year-old Sohel Ansari, who suffered a head injury, and 14-year-old Mohamad Ansari, who sustained a back injury.

Medical teams are continuing to monitor their condition.

Civic Officials Visit Site

BMC Mayor Ritu Tawde and Additional Municipal Commissioner (Eastern Suburbs) Avinash Dhakne visited the affected location in Ghatkopar to assess the situation and review the rescue operation.

Tawde also announced financial assistance of ₹3 lakh for the families of those who died in the landslide. The assistance will be provided through the District Collector's Office.

Authorities are coordinating the rescue effort while continuing to assess the condition of nearby houses and the surrounding hillside.

Investigation to Follow

The landslide has raised concerns over safety in the densely populated hillside settlement, particularly during the monsoon season when heavy rainfall can increase the risk of slope failures.

Police and civic authorities are expected to investigate the circumstances leading to the collapse and assess whether any structural or environmental factors contributed to the incident.

For now, the priority remains locating anyone who may still be trapped and completing the rescue operation safely.

A massive landslide at an under-construction tunnel in Sikkim's Namchi district has claimed the lives of 10 construction workers, while 17 others remain trapped more than 24 hours after the incident. Rescue operations are continuing under challenging conditions as suspected methane gas leaks and heavy debris have significantly slowed efforts to reach those still inside the tunnel.

According to Namchi Superintendent of Police Sonam Dolma, rescue teams recovered 10 bodies by Tuesday, while three victims are yet to be identified. The deceased belonged to West Bengal, Uttarakhand, Assam, and Sikkim. Authorities have not ruled out the possibility that the number of trapped workers could change as rescue operations progress.

PM Modi Announces Ex-Gratia for Victims

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the tragedy and announced an ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the next of kin of each deceased worker. Injured workers will receive ₹50,000 as financial assistance.

The Prime Minister also conveyed condolences to the bereaved families and expressed hope for the safe rescue of those still trapped inside the tunnel.

President Murmu, Amit Shah Express Condolences

President Droupadi Murmu described the incident as deeply tragic and extended her heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims.

In a message posted on X, she said she was deeply saddened by the loss of lives and prayed for the speedy rescue and safe evacuation of the remaining workers, along with the quick recovery of those injured.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah also spoke with Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang to review the rescue operations and assured all possible assistance from the Centre.

Methane Gas Leak Hampers Rescue Operations

The landslide struck the Samardung Tunnel in the Mamring area of Namchi district at around 3:40 pm on Monday, causing a massive cave-in and completely blocking the tunnel entrance.

District Collector Anupa Tamling said rescue efforts have become extremely difficult due to the accumulation of debris and the possibility of a methane gas leak inside the tunnel.

Several rescue personnel reportedly experienced dizziness, while some fainted during operations because of poor air quality, forcing authorities to adopt additional safety measures before continuing the rescue mission.

Special Rescue Teams Deployed

The rescue operation involves personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), district police, and fire services. A specialized rescue team equipped with gas-proof protective equipment has also been brought from West Bengal to strengthen the operation.

Officials believe that the trapped workers include 21 employees of Patel Engineering and six workers associated with NHPC. Ambulances and medical teams remain stationed at the site to provide immediate treatment once survivors are rescued.

Tunnel Part of Major Hydropower Project

The collapsed tunnel was under construction for the Teesta Stage VI Hydroelectric Power Project, being executed by Patel Engineering.

Authorities said the immediate priority remains reaching the trapped workers safely despite hazardous conditions inside the tunnel, including confined spaces, poor visibility, unstable debris, and the suspected presence of methane gas.

Rescue teams continue to work around the clock as hopes remain that those still trapped can be evacuated safely.

Over 120 migrant workers from Assam, Odisha, Jharkhand were staying on factory premises; nine critical patients shifted to Chennai hospital

A worker died and at least 60 others were hospitalised after an ammonia gas leak at St Peter's Paul Seafoods Exports Private Limited in Kannigaipair, near Periyapalayam in Tamil Nadu's Tiruvallur district on Sunday.

According to police sources, around 120 migrant workers, including women from Assam, Odisha and Jharkhand, were staying on the factory premises in accommodation provided by the company. The incident occurred on the unit's weekly holiday.

The ammonia leak is believed to have originated from the seafood processing unit and spread across the campus. Many workers reported breathing difficulties, while some suffered bleeding from the mouth and nose.

The affected workers were taken to nearby private hospitals for treatment. One worker died while undergoing treatment, police said. Nine workers in critical condition were later shifted to Government Stanley Medical College Hospital in Chennai in 108 ambulances.

Some reports indicated that seven workers had died and more than 60 had fainted, with the deceased all said to be from North India. Bulging of lungs due to excessive inhalation of the toxic gas was cited as the cause of death.

NDRF CBRN Team Deployed

Following a request from the district administration, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) deployed a specialised Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) response team from its 4th Battalion in Arakkonam.

The 30-member team, equipped with gas detection devices, personal protective equipment and specialised rescue gear, was pressed into service to assess the impact of the leak, secure the area and assist rescue efforts.

Government Response

Teams from the police, Fire and Rescue Services, revenue department and health department reached the site and launched rescue operations.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay was "deeply pained" after hearing about the incident and directed the health department to provide the best treatment to the injured. The state government ordered a high-level probe headed by RGGGH Dean Dr Shantaram to investigate the reasons for the gas leak.

Tiruvallur district in-charge Minister Kumar rushed to the private hospitals, met the injured and enquired about their health condition. He said 60 women and four men affected by the gas leak were being treated.

Police have registered a case and an FIR against the firm. The owner was arrested while some more company officials were secured for interrogation.

Periyapalayam police have registered a case and further investigation is underway.

Silpara Dam search intensifies

Search operations at Silpara Dam and its adjoining canal entered a critical phase on Monday after the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team from Varanasi arrived here to assist local agencies. Authorities said the additional resources aim to boost efforts to find two men who have been missing since separate incidents in May and June.

What happened

According to officials, 23-year-old Arun Kumar Vishwakarma vanished on the night of 18 May. Three days later, police found his motorcycle and a single slipper abandoned on the bank of the Silpara canal, prompting an underwater search amid fears he had drowned. Separate reports say 28-year-old soldier Gaurav Dwivedi went missing on 3 June after he waded into deep water while bathing at the Silpara reservoir near Baghwar village.

Timeline and local response

Local police, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and divers launched sustained searches in the canal and reservoir immediately after each disappearance. The canal’s flow was shut twice to facilitate underwater combing, but teams failed to recover either man. Sources familiar with the matter said variable visibility and strong currents have repeatedly hampered divers’ work.

Long-running searches and mounting frustration

Extended, unsuccessful search efforts have heightened tensions in the area. Relatives and villagers staged a road blockade on Sunday, alleging inadequate early response and insufficient resources during the initial days of the hunt. “We told them from the start to bring specialized teams, but the search went on without them for too long,” a family member told reporters, declining to be named.

Police and administration response

Bichhiya police and district officers defended their earlier actions while acknowledging gaps. “Initial searches were carried out with the resources available locally,” an official said. “Given the complexity, we requested NDRF assistance and coordinated the team’s arrival from Varanasi.” District administration sources said the NDRF contingent brought advanced sonar equipment and specialist divers to improve underwater detection.

What the NDRF will do

NDRF personnel began inspecting the dam and canal banks on arrival and will deploy side-scan sonar, remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and trained rescue divers, officials said. These instruments help map the bed and detect anomalies where bodies or large objects could be lodged, especially in silty or low-visibility conditions. “We will work in coordination with local police and SDRF to cover all probable zones systematically,” an NDRF officer at the site said.

Ground-level conditions

Locals describe the reservoir’s far bank as steep and muddy, with submerged vegetation and uneven bed profiles that complicate searches. Heavy monsoon inflows have not begun in full, but isolated rains in the past week raised water turbidity, witnesses said. Search teams have been focusing on bends, culverts and deeper pockets where currents could trap bodies.

Public pressure and next steps

Families of both missing men have demanded an expanded, continuous operation until results are found. They want more manpower, around-the-clock sonar sweeps and clear public briefings on progress. District officials said the NDRF deployment marks an upgrade in capability and that searches will continue daily until warranted by findings.

Legal and administrative follow-up

Police have registered missing-person reports in both cases; investigations are ongoing to determine circumstances that led to the disappearances. Officials said they are also reviewing whether procedural delays occurred during the initial response and will record findings once operations conclude.

Why it matters

Silpara is a lifeline for nearby villages for irrigation and daily chores. Incidents like these raise broader safety questions about access, signage and public awareness at water bodies that see frequent local use. Residents and officials say they expect the NDRF’s technical edge to either produce evidence or narrow search zones, offering some closure to the families.

Jabalpur cruise tragedy: Missing uncle, nephew found; death toll reaches 13

The recovery of Kamaraj R’s body on Sunday morning marks the end of a grim four-day search operation in Jabalpur’s Bargi Dam.

The harrowing search for victims of the Bargi Dam cruise tragedy concluded on Sunday morning as rescue teams recovered the final two missing bodies from the reservoir. With the recovery of Kamaraj R (42) and his eight-year-old nephew Mayuran, the total death toll from the April 30 accident has climbed to 13, including four children and eight women.

The body of young Mayuran, a resident of Trichy in Tamil Nadu, was spotted by divers around 6:00 am, floating some distance away from the primary accident site. Hours later, at approximately 9:40 am, the remains of his uncle, Kamaraj, were pulled from the water.

Final bodies recovered after 90 hours

The search, which entered its fourth day on Sunday, had been hampered by fluctuating weather and the sheer depth of the Bargi reservoir. Local authorities confirmed that with these two recoveries, all persons reported missing by their families have been accounted for.

Earlier on Saturday evening, the atmosphere at the site turned somber as the bodies of two other children—five-year-old Shritamil (Kamaraj’s son) and five-year-old Viraj—were brought to the shore. CSP Anjul Ayank Mishra stated that while the primary search is over, personnel remain on-site as a precautionary measure to ensure no other unidentified victims remain.

Tragedy during a family vacation

The victims were part of a larger group from Tamil Nadu visiting relatives in Jabalpur. Before heading to the Bargi Dam on that fateful Tuesday, the family had spent the morning at Bhedaghat, enjoying the marble rocks and ropeway rides.

Initial reports suggest the cruise was carrying roughly 47 passengers, significantly higher than the reported 29 tickets issued. The vessel capsized nearly 300 meters from the shore when a sudden storm, described by some officials as a "mini-tornado," hit the area with wind speeds reaching 74 kmph.

Mortal remains sent to Trichy

The Jabalpur district administration has been coordinating with the Tamil Nadu government to repatriate the deceased. On Sunday, a cargo aircraft was arranged at Dumna Airport to transport the bodies back to Trichy.

The process faced a brief delay when the first scheduled cargo plane developed a technical snag, necessitating a backup aircraft. Surviving family members, who had camped at the dam site for four days, accompanied the remains of their loved ones on the flight home.

Questions over weather warnings

While MP Tourism advisors have pointed toward an "unprecedented weather event" and high waves as the cause of the capsize, questions are being raised regarding safety protocols.

Sources familiar with the matter pointed out that a 'yellow alert' had been issued by the Meteorological Department for that evening. It remains unclear why the cruise was permitted to operate or if any real-time communication existed between the shore and the vessel once the weather began to deteriorate rapidly around 5:30 pm.

Timeline of a desperate rescue

The timeline of the past 72 hours reflects a frantic struggle against the elements. After the vessel sank at 6:10 pm on April 30, the first 21 survivors were pulled out within the hour. However, the mission turned into a recovery operation by nightfall.

Heavy machinery, including hydraulic cranes and gas cutters, were used to breach the hull of the submerged cruise on May 1. Divers from the 411 Para Field Company in Agra were eventually called in to assist the NDRF and SDRF teams after initial attempts to lift the vessel failed due to the muddy bed of the dam.

The administration is expected to conduct a high-level inquiry into the seating capacity and the decision to sail despite the storm warning. For now, the focus remains on assisting the grieving families as they return to Tamil Nadu.

Bhagirath Borewell Tragedy: 8 Failed Attempts, 22-Hour Rescue Ends in Death

Rescue Effort Collapses After Midnight

A two-year-old child, Bhagirath Devasi, died after falling into a 200-foot-deep borewell in Badnagar, Ujjain district. The rescue operation lasted nearly 22 hours but ended in tragedy on Thursday.

Eight consecutive attempts to pull the child out failed. Teams from SDRF and NDRF worked through the night, yet could only recover the body using iron rods and ropes meant for extracting motors.

Timeline of a Failed Operation

The child slipped into the borewell around 4:30 PM on Wednesday. Rescue teams reached within an hour. But initial efforts lacked coordination.

Officials said Bhagirath was first trapped at 35 feet. Due to unsuccessful hook attempts, he slipped deeper to 70 feet. Oxygen supply was maintained until 2 PM Thursday, after which the pipe was removed – a clear signal that the team had given up hope.

Equipment Gaps Haunt Rescuers

Ujjain SDRF’s underwater camera worked only up to 55 feet. When the child went deeper, the equipment became useless. Plastic joint pipes were ordered from private suppliers. A private expert, Vijaysingh Sankhla, had to be called in with better cameras used normally for removing faulty motors.

“The camera lacked stability. The underwater view was blurry,” sources indicated.

Harda SDRF later arrived with thin iron pipes, a three-legged stand, and a child dummy for practice – something the local team did not possess.

No Stability, No Backup Plan

For the first eight hours, rescuers relied on only one strategy: hooking the child’s clothes or bangle. When that failed repeatedly, no backup plan existed.

Ground leveling was ignored initially. Jawans and villagers held the rod manually at the borewell opening. Harda SDRF later leveled the ground and installed a locking stand, which provided better control.

Parallel Pit Technique Not Used Early

Officials confirmed that parallel digging – a standard method where a pit is dug alongside the borewell – was not attempted in the first several hours. By the time it began, time had already run out.

“If Harda team had arrived earlier, the outcome could have been better,” an officer admitted.

Official Statements and Compensation

Chief Minister Mohan Yadav expressed grief and announced ₹4 lakh as financial assistance for the family. District Collector Roshan Kumar Singh and SP Pradeep Sharma remained at the site throughout.

SDRF Ujjain Commandant Santosh Kumar Jat said the team was actively engaged. But sources noted that the local SDRF lacked clear strategy and depth-specific training.

What Next: Questions Without Answers

The tragedy has exposed glaring gaps in India’s borewell rescue infrastructure. Experts say standard operating procedures for borewell depth beyond 50 feet do not exist at the district level.

Public interest groups are now demanding a national audit of rescue equipment across all SDRF units. Meanwhile, Bhagirath’s body was handed over to his family after post-mortem. Last rites were performed on Thursday evening.

As one official put it on condition of anonymity, “We brought rods to pull out a motor. We forgot we were pulling out a child.”

Anuppur Lodge Collapse: Third Body Found, Rs 9 Lakh Compensation

Three dead as three-storey building caves in near Kotma bus stand; rescue teams from Bhilai and Varanasi join operation.

The death toll in the Anuppur lodge collapse rose to three on Sunday morning as rescue personnel pulled out a woman’s body from the debris. The three-storey building in Kotma bus stand area had caved in on Saturday evening. Officials confirmed two earlier fatalities – Hanuman Deen Yadav (55) and Ram Kripal Yadav (40) – while three persons sustained injuries. The woman’s identity remains unknown.

Rescue Operations Continue

More than 100 personnel from NDRF, SDRF and local teams have been clearing the rubble for nearly 19 hours. Special rescue units from Bhilai and Varanasi reached the site on Sunday to assist. According to officials, the operation will continue until all debris is removed and any remaining trapped persons are accounted for.

Cause Under Investigation

Eyewitnesses said the building tilted towards an adjacent pit before collapsing. Preliminary findings indicate that a 12-feet-deep pit dug for construction work nearby had filled with water, possibly weakening the lodge’s foundation. A senior district official said a structural audit will be conducted once rescue work ends.

Case Registered Against Owners

Anuppur Superintendent of Police Motiur Rahman confirmed that a case has been filed at Kotma police station under BNS sections 290 and 106. The accused are land owner Rajeev Garg and lodge owner Lallu Lal Agrawal. Police said negligence in construction safety and failure to maintain the building’s stability are the primary grounds for the case.

Compensation Announced

Collector Harshal Pancholi announced on Sunday that the state government will provide Rs 9 lakh each to the families of the deceased. Injured persons will receive Rs 2.5 lakh each. “The compensation will be disbursed immediately after verification of documents,” the collector said, adding that medical expenses of the injured will also be borne by the administration.

Former MLA Raises Concerns

Former Kotma MLA Sunil Saraf expressed alarm over the incident, stating that several other buildings in the area face similar risks. “This is not an isolated case. Many structures here have been weakened by nearby excavation. The administration must take strict action to prevent a repeat,” he told reporters.

Market Shut for Safety

Local markets near the bus stand remained closed on Sunday due to the ongoing rescue and barricading. Residents pointed out that the casualty count could have been much higher had the market been open on Saturday. The lodge was undergoing repairs at the time, which kept footfall low, according to shopkeepers.

Search Teams Face Challenges

A 41-member NDRF team from Varanasi along with Bhilai’s rescue unit has been using dog squads and heavy machinery. However, the depth of the debris and the water-filled pit are hampering progress. “The dogs are returning repeatedly because of the unstable ground. We are removing debris in layers,” a rescue official said. CCTV footage of the collapse is being reviewed to trace any other missing persons.

Officials have assured that a full inquiry into the building’s permissions and structural safety will follow. Meanwhile, rescue teams remain on high alert as hopes fade of finding more survivors under the concrete and mud. The district administration has urged the public to avoid the area and report any similar unsafe structures immediately.