Heavy Rain Washes Away Shihod Diversion, Leaving Thousands Facing Long Detours in Pavijetpur
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
Heavy rain in Pavijetpur taluka on Thursday washed away a temporary diversion near Shihod village over the Bharaj River, forcing authorities to close the road completely for safety. The area received 58 mm (about two inches) of rainfall since early morning, causing rivers and canals to overflow. The closure has disrupted travel between Pavijetpur, Bodeli, Chhota Udepur and parts of Madhya Pradesh, affecting thousands of daily commuters.
Temporary Diversion Fails During First Major Rain
The temporary diversion was built to maintain traffic until the permanent bridge over the Bharaj River is completed. However, the structure was washed away after the river's water level rose due to heavy rainfall. The damaged diversion has become unsafe for vehicles, prompting authorities to stop all traffic on the route to prevent accidents.
Alternative Routes Increase Travel Time
Following the road closure, officials diverted vehicles through the Vankutir–Rangli Chowkdi–Modasar Chowkdi route, adding around 35 kilometres to the journey. Many motorists are also using the Dungarwant–Shihod route to reach Bodeli, which adds nearly 40 kilometres. Both alternative roads are narrow, uneven and in poor condition, leading to traffic congestion and much longer travel times.
People Question Preparations
Many local residents have questioned the quality of the temporary diversion, saying it collapsed during the first major spell of monsoon rain. They claimed that despite weather forecasts warning of heavy rainfall, proper safety measures and stronger arrangements were not made. The incident has raised concerns about the durability of temporary infrastructure in flood-prone areas.
Locals Demand Permanent Solution
The road closure has badly affected students, traders, farmers, businesses and patients travelling for medical treatment. Transport of agricultural produce has also been delayed, while emergency services are taking longer routes to reach affected areas. Residents have urged the authorities to speed up the construction of the permanent bridge over the Bharaj River and provide a stronger alternative road during the monsoon to prevent similar problems in the future.
