Madhya Pradesh is facing intense rainfall and rising water levels across several districts. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for very heavy rain in Seoni and Balaghat. Flood-like conditions are being reported from Mandla, Dindori, and Sheopur.
“Strong rain systems are active in the state. Heavy rainfall will continue till July 10, especially in eastern parts,” said Dr. Divya E. Surendran, senior meteorologist at IMD.
In Jabalpur, nine gates of the Bargi Dam were opened to manage the rising water. This move came as the Narmada river crossed the danger mark. The district administration issued alerts in low-lying areas, warning residents to move to safer ground.
Water flooded the Shahdol railway station, halting train movement for hours. In Umaria, floodwaters submerged roads and disconnected it from nearby Katni.
In Dindori, Collector Neha Marvya declared a holiday for schools and Anganwadi centers due to heavy rainfall. The district recorded 25.4 mm of rain in 24 hours. Similar conditions affected Mandla and Seoni, where riverbanks are overflowing.
The IMD has also issued a yellow alert for 20 other districts including Morena, Shivpuri, Guna, and Sagar. Several rivers and streams in the state are swollen due to continuous downpour.
“The low-pressure system over West Bengal and adjoining Odisha is pushing rain towards Jharkhand and northern Chhattisgarh,” said PK Raikwar, meteorologist at IMD. “A trough from the northeast Arabian Sea to the Bay of Bengal is passing through Madhya Pradesh, causing heavy rainfall.”
In Umaria, four gates of the Johila Dam were opened on Sunday afternoon. Many nearby villages have reported flooding. A State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) team from Shahdol has reached the area to assist in evacuations and rescue work.
In the Gwalior-Chambal region, water levels in dams have also risen sharply. For the first time this season, two gates of the Upper Kaketo Dam in Gwalior were opened on July 6. Six more gates were opened a day earlier, releasing large volumes of water from the Parvati river.
Recorded rainfall in selected cities over the past 24 hours
| City | Rainfall (mm) |
|---|---|
| Pachmarhi | 73.4 |
| Khajuraho | 73.0 |
| Dindori | 57.0 |
| Sagar | 43.8 |
| Rewa | 35.8 |
| Chhindwara | 30.2 |
| Satna | 29.3 |
| Umaria | 26.8 |
| Mandla | 25.4 |
| Ratlam | 21.0 |
| Betul | 18.4 |
| Raisen | 18.2 |
| Bhopal | 17.8 |
The early arrival of monsoon this year led to widespread rain across the state. The IMD noted that the monsoon covered all 55 districts of Madhya Pradesh in just five days starting June 16.
In Shahdol, Seoni, Rewa, and Chhindwara, heavy rain has been ongoing for over 24 hours. Officials warn that more than a hundred villages near riverbanks are on high alert. The Bargi Dam in Jabalpur is seeing rapid inflow, prompting ongoing monitoring by the authorities.
With flood alerts in place and more rain expected, district officials are urging people in vulnerable areas to stay alert and follow safety advisories.
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