Heavy rains continue to lash Madhya Pradesh, flooding several areas and forcing authorities to open nine gates of the Bargi Dam in Jabalpur on Tuesday morning. Officials released 1,097 cubic meters of water per second into the Narmada river, prompting an alert in riverside villages of Mandla, Narsinghpur and Narmadapuram.
The water release came after steady rainfall pushed the dam’s level higher overnight. “We are closely monitoring the flow of the Narmada. People in low-lying areas have been advised to stay alert,” said an official from the Water Resources Department in Jabalpur.
Flooded Roads and Rising Rivers
In Ratlam, an hour of heavy rainfall from 7:30 am flooded major intersections. Traffic was disrupted at Free Ganj where water pooled across the road. In Mandsaur, the Shivna river overflowed, submerging the Nahargarh Billod bridge. Locals said they had not seen such a strong rise in months.
“The river crossed the bridge in just a few hours. Many people from nearby villages rushed to see it. We fear more flooding if the rains don’t stop,” said Ramesh Patel, a shopkeeper in Mandsaur.
The Bada Mahadev waterfall in Bhanpura also began flowing at full strength, drawing attention from locals but worrying officials about further waterlogging.
Weather Alerts in Place
The Meteorological Department has issued heavy rain warnings for Neemuch and Mandsaur. A yellow alert remains in place for Bhopal and surrounding districts. “For the next three days, some districts may face heavy rainfall. The rest will see light showers,” said Dr. Divya E. Surendran, senior meteorologist.
Over the past 24 hours, rainfall was recorded in more than 15 districts, including Bhopal, Indore, Gwalior, Ratlam, Ujjain, Sheopur, Chhindwara, and Satna.
Monsoon Data
Since the monsoon arrived in Madhya Pradesh on June 16, the state has received 35.5 inches of rain. The seasonal average is 37 inches. Officials say this year’s rainfall has already reached 96 percent of the quota, with just 1.5 inches left to meet the target.
Some districts have seen far above-average rainfall. Guna recorded 53.3 inches, Mandla 52.7 inches, and Ashoknagar 50.3 inches. In contrast, several western districts including Indore, Dhar, and Barwani received less than 20 inches.
“The eastern and northern parts of Madhya Pradesh are soaked. In contrast, western districts are still waiting for proper rain,” said a senior official at the State Disaster Management Authority.
Conditions in Cities
| City | Temperature (°C) | Forecast |
|---|---|---|
| Bhopal | 27 | Light rain |
| Jabalpur | 26 | Moderate showers |
| Indore | 28 | Cloudy, drizzle |
| Gwalior | 29 | Intermittent rain |
| Ratlam | 25 | Heavy rain |
| Mandsaur | 24 | Heavy rain |
| Neemuch | 25 | Heavy rain |
| Narmadapuram | 27 | Light rain |
Officials say the weather system that caused heavy rainfall will weaken in the coming days. But districts like Neemuch and Mandsaur remain on high alert.
For people living near rivers, the danger of flooding continues. Villagers in low-lying areas of Narmadapuram and Mandla were advised to stay cautious.
“We can only pray the rain slows down,” said Sunita Verma, a resident of a riverside village near Narmadapuram. “Our fields are already waterlogged. If the river rises more, we may have to leave our homes.”
The state has so far avoided major disasters, but with the monsoon still active, officials are bracing for more challenges in the days ahead.
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