Flooding Over the Causeway, Multiple Trucks Stranded; Critical Patients Diverted to Hospitals

**Jhargram:** Due to two days of continuous rain and a depression, a vast area of Jhargram district's Jamboni block is submerged. Among this, the water level of the Dulung River has risen, causing the river to flow over the critical causeway of Chilkigad beyond the danger level. As a result, normal traffic has come to a halt. Multiple trucks are lined up on both ends of the causeway.

Due to the continuous rain, various low-lying areas of Jamboni block are already submerged. The rain has also affected the water level of the Dulung River. As the water continues to rise, it has started flowing over the causeway of Chilkigad. Given the dangerous situation, vehicle drivers are unwilling to risk crossing the causeway.

This causeway of Chilkigad is one of the most important communication routes in Jamboni block. Every day, from cargo vehicles to passenger vehicles and emergency service vehicles, this route is used. However, with the river water flowing over the causeway, the communication system has effectively become isolated.

The truck drivers are facing the most problems. One after another, trucks are stranded at both ends of the causeway. They have to wait for hours, hoping for the water to recede. As a result, cargo transportation is disrupted, affecting business and trade.

However, alongside vehicle movement, there is growing concern about medical services. If a patient needs to be transferred from Chilkigad Hospital to Jhargram Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment, it is not possible to take them directly via the causeway. Patients are being taken to the hospital via alternative routes.

This increases the distance and time of travel. For critically ill patients, timely treatment is extremely important, causing anxiety for the patient's family in this situation. Emergency service vehicles, including ambulances, also have to rely on alternative roads.

Locals claim that disruptions in communication via the Chilkigad causeway during the rainy season or heavy rainfall are not new. However, the continuous rain this time has complicated the situation further. Residents fear that if the rain continues, the water level of the river may rise even more.

In this situation, the general public is being warned not to risk crossing the causeway due to the strong current of water. People in Chilkigad and the vast area of Jamboni are now waiting to see when the river water will recede and when vehicle movement will return to normal.

**Meanwhile, there are demands to quickly restore communication systems due to the stranded trucks and emergency patient transport issues.** Locals believe that there is little chance of normal vehicle movement via the causeway until the river water recedes.