Dhanbad: Incessant rain and the retention of water because of a barrier set up by a private coal mining firm in the catchment area of Jhilua rivulet, led to a flash flood in Chirkunda Nagar Panchayat area, about 45km from the district headquarters, on Friday morning with water entering over 400 houses of slum dwellers.

Sadbhav Engineering, a private outsourcing company engaged in coal excavation at BCCL's Dahibari colliery, had constructed the barrier as part of a small bridge to facilitate tra-nsportation of coal to and from a new washery at Chirkunda.

Places such as Bagan Dhaura, Baghakuri, Shivlibari and Chapra Dangal are worst hit. Residents of flood-hit areas have been shifted to Gandhi Ashram at Bagan Dhaura and two government schools and two clubs in Chapra Dangal area.

Dhanbad DC Anjaneyulu Dodde, sub-divisional commissioner Ananya Mittal, additional collector Satyendra Kumar, ADM (law and order) Rakesh Kumar Dubey and SSP Manoj Ratan Chothe visited the area around 11am and interacted with the victims.

The situation started to improve around noon after the creation of a passage in the barrier to allow the water to pass.

"The situation had started to aggravate around 4am with rain water entering Bagan Dhaura, Baghakuri and Shivlibari areas," Nirsa MLA Arup Chatterjee said.

Rescue operation began soon after chairman of Chirkunda Nagar Parishad Dablu Bauri informed Egyarkund BDO Anant Kumar.

Pappu Kumar, a fast food vendor in Bagan Dhaura, said, "I woke up around 4.15am and foundthat rain water had entered my house. I along with my family immediately moved to a safer place."

"The 30 feet long and 15 feet high barrier prevented rain water from flowing into the rivulet, leading to the flash flood. However, we developed an over 15 feet wide passage in the barrier with the help of the earthmovers provided by BCCL. It helped the water level to recede," the Egyarkund BDO said.

He said the majority of affected houses, most of which have been developed illegally, were located around the catchment area of the rivulet that overflows during rainy season.

"Food has been arranged for the rescued at the five temporary camps. There are four ambulances to meet any emergency," BDO Kumar said.

ADM (law and order) Dubey said people had started to return to their houses.

"We have deployed medical teams and medicines are being distributed to prevent the outbreak of diseases such as diarrhoea. An assessment of damage caused by the flood will be carried out once the situation normalises so that compensation can be provided to the affected persons," Dubey said.