Relentless rain has caused floods across large parts of Madhya Pradesh. Rivers are rising, roads are shut, and rescue efforts are underway. The state has been facing intense rainfall for a week. On Wednesday alone, it rained in over 30 districts.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of more rain in the coming days. On Thursday, very heavy rain is expected in 14 districts and heavy rain in 22 others.
Flood Alert in Madhya Pradesh
Dr. Divya E. Surendran, senior scientist at IMD, said multiple weather systems drive the conditions.
“There are two troughs and a cyclonic circulation active over the state,” she said. “This will continue to bring heavy to very heavy rain in several districts. A low-pressure area is also developing, which will sustain the rainfall.”
Flood-like conditions have hit districts including Mandla, Narsinghpur, Shivpuri, and Umaria. The Narmada river is flowing above the danger mark in Mandla, flooding roads and submerging bridges. Local authorities have blocked access to several areas.
In Narsinghpur, three children drowned in the river at Vipatpura village. Officials said rescue teams from the State Disaster Emergency Response Force (SDERF) recovered their bodies after an hours-long search.
Districts with Rain on July 9
Meanwhile, these districts received rain on Wednesday:
| Districts with Rain on July 9 |
|---|
| Damoh, Shivpuri, Chhatarpur, Sidhi, Betul, Datia, Indore, Chhindwara, |
| Jabalpur, Khajuraho, Rewa, Sagar, Umaria, Balaghat, Katni, Maihar, |
| Tikamgarh, Sehore, Ashoknagar, Vidisha, Morena |
In Shivpuri, a bike carrying three men was swept off a causeway while they tried to cross it. One man was briefly carried away by the current but managed to swim to safety.
A car was washed away in the Morad river near Betul. Villagers rescued the driver and pulled the vehicle out.
Many areas have reported rainfall totals far above normal. Damoh received 4 inches of rain in 9 hours. Shivpuri saw 3 inches. Sidhi recorded an alarming 45 inches in one day.
The IMD expects rain to continue through July 13.
Weather forecast for July 11–12
| District | Forecast | Expected Rain |
|---|---|---|
| Jabalpur | Very Heavy Rain | Up to 8 inches |
| Narmadapuram | Very Heavy Rain | Up to 8 inches |
| Betul | Very Heavy Rain | Up to 8 inches |
| Narsinghpur | Very Heavy Rain | Up to 8 inches |
| Chhindwara | Very Heavy Rain | Up to 8 inches |
| Damoh | Very Heavy Rain | Up to 8 inches |
| Seoni | Very Heavy Rain | Up to 8 inches |
| Mandla | Very Heavy Rain | Up to 8 inches |
| Dindori | Very Heavy Rain | Up to 8 inches |
| Shahdol | Very Heavy Rain | Up to 8 inches |
| Umaria | Very Heavy Rain | Up to 8 inches |
| Anuppur | Very Heavy Rain | Up to 8 inches |
| Raisen | Heavy Rain | 2.5–4.5 inches |
| Vidisha | Heavy Rain | 2.5–4.5 inches |
In Bhopal, the weather was calm during the day, but rain returned at night. The city has recorded 164 mm of rainfall in July so far, the highest in three years for this period.
Dr. Surendran said residents should stay alert. She added that Malwa-Nimar, including Indore and Ujjain divisions, will likely see significant rainfall on July 12.
“These regions have received below-average rain so far, but we expect a change in the next 48 hours,” she said.
“People in low-lying areas must avoid travel and crossing rivers or bridges,” she said. “Our teams are watching all developments closely.”
The state government has deployed rescue teams to sensitive areas. Authorities are advising people to stay indoors unless necessary. More rain is expected across Malwa and Nimar regions by July 12.
The monsoon arrived in Madhya Pradesh on June 16, one day later than normal. Within five days, it covered the entire state. Since then, rainfall has intensified in most regions.
Officials continue to monitor water levels in major rivers. The situation remains serious in Mandla, Narsinghpur, and parts of Gwalior division. With alerts still active, residents are bracing for more rain in the days ahead.
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