Madhya Pradesh is facing intense rainfall and widespread flooding. On Friday, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for very heavy rain in 19 districts. Eighteen others are on orange or yellow alert.
Floodwaters swept away three people in Shivpuri on Thursday. One woman died, while two girls were rescued by family members. A two-and-a-half-year-old child was reported missing in Ashoknagar after being swept into a drain in Mungaoli.
Red Alert in 19 Districts
Heavy rain has flooded homes, submerged roads, and triggered multiple rescue operations across the state.
In Vidisha, a car was washed off a culvert. Villagers saved the occupants using a rope and a tractor. A pregnant woman stranded on another flooded culvert near Gyaraspur was also rescued with the help of police and home guard officers.
“We expect very heavy rainfall in many parts due to the activation of multiple systems, including monsoon troughs and cyclonic circulations,” said Dr. Divya E. Surendran, senior meteorologist at IMD Bhopal. “These conditions will continue for the next four days.”
Pilgrims Swept Away, Woman Rescued
In Shivpuri, 15 members of a family attempted to cross a flooded stream during a pilgrimage to Ratangarh Wali Mata Mandir. Three were swept away. The deceased woman’s identity has not been released.
Meanwhile, in Rajgarh, a pregnant woman named Chandabi Khan got stuck while trying to reach a hospital with her mother. Her car stalled near Vishram Ghat as water covered the culvert. Police officers helped her cross and sent her to the hospital by ambulance.
Mungaoli in Ashoknagar district received continuous rain for four hours. Streets turned into streams, and several homes were filled with water up to four feet high. Household goods were destroyed.
Raisen received 2.3 inches of rainfall on Thursday. Seoni recorded 1.6 inches, Pachmarhi 1.5, and Bhopal 1.25 inches. Datia, Shivpuri, and Sagar each received about half an inch.
Due to the rising water levels, officials opened floodgates at several dams. Two gates were opened at the Atal Sagar Dam in Shivpuri. In Raisen, four gates of the Barna Dam were raised, releasing 10,000 cusecs of water.
More rain coming, alerts extended
The IMD issued an orange alert for Jabalpur, Narsinghpur, Mandla, Balaghat, and 14 other districts, predicting rainfall of up to 8.5 inches in 24 hours. Gwalior, Tikamgarh, Sagar, and 14 other districts may also experience heavy rainfall.
Dr. Surendran explained that a monsoon trough is passing through the northern part of Madhya Pradesh. “This is driving continuous rain and possible flood conditions in several areas,” she said.
The state has already received 21.8 inches of rain this season, 7.2 inches above the average. That’s 49% more than expected at this point.
Three districts, Niwari, Tikamgarh, and Sheopur, have already crossed their seasonal rainfall targets. Five others, including Gwalior, have received 80% to 95% of their normal levels. But Indore, Ujjain, and parts of western Madhya Pradesh are still behind. Rainfall in Indore, Shajapur, Burhanpur, and Agar-Malwa remains below 10 inches.
The IMD has issued additional alerts for the upcoming weekend. On Saturday, red and orange alerts are in place for 15 districts, including Narmadapuram, Betul, and Chhindwara. Flash floods and waterlogging are likely in low-lying areas.
Rescue teams, local police, and villagers continue to assist people stuck in flooded zones. The situation remains tense as rainfall continues across central and eastern Madhya Pradesh.
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