Torrential Rains Disrupt Life Across Madhya Pradesh, Flood-Like Conditions in Several Districts, Army Deployed in Guna

Bhopal, July 30 — Continuous heavy rains triggered by a low-pressure area and two active trough lines have severely impacted life across Madhya Pradesh. On Tuesday, flood-like conditions emerged in multiple districts including Ashoknagar, Sheopur, and Vidisha, as roads were submerged and routes were blocked. In view of the situation, schools were declared closed on Wednesday in Bhopal, Narmadapuram, Sehore, and Ashoknagar.

Army called in for rescue in Guna

The situation in Guna district worsened to the extent that the army had to be called in for relief and rescue operations. In Kalora village of Bamori area, the west weir of a dam collapsed, leading to overflow and flooding in nearby villages. Joint teams of the army and administration began rescue efforts in the affected regions. Several low-lying settlements saw water levels rise up to four feet. Chachoda region received the highest rainfall in the district. The Myana railway underbridge remains waterlogged, resulting in the closure of the Guna–Ashoknagar route. Meanwhile, the Sindh, Kwari, and Chambal rivers continue to swell in Bhind district.

Casualties and structural damages reported

In Gyaraspur (Vidisha), two children were swept away by strong currents but were rescued safely. However, in Nahrayai village of the same district, a 60-year-old woman died after a mud house collapsed. In Itarsi, nine gates of the Tawa Dam were opened to release 1 lakh cusecs of water. Similarly, 14 gates of the Omkareshwar Dam on the Narmada River have been opened. In Bhopal, the rising Kolans river has caused the Upper Lake to fill rapidly, leading to waterlogging in several areas. Five gates of Tawa Dam were opened up to 7 feet.

In Morena, part of a government school building collapsed. In Damoh, a couple trapped in their village due to the overflowing Byarma river was rescued by SDRF teams. Several areas in Raisen town have been flooded, and large parts of Shivpuri are facing severe waterlogging.

Rain lashes across the state, rivers on the rise

In Rajgarh district, continuous rainfall over the past three days has caused rivers like Ajnar, Nevaz, and Gadganga to overflow. The water level at Mohanpura Dam has also been rising, prompting authorities to open six of its 17 gates on Tuesday evening. Floodwaters have entered multiple villages in Damoh district, such as Hinoti, Barrat, Kota, Muari, Ramgarha, Naya Gaon, Kunwarpur, Imlia, Jamuniya, and Salaiya, cutting off road access and severely impacting daily life.

Since the onset of monsoon on June 16, Madhya Pradesh has received an average of 26.2 inches of rainfall — 9.3 inches above the normal average of 37 inches. Eight districts — Gwalior, Shivpuri, Ashoknagar, Morena, Sheopur, Chhatarpur, Tikamgarh, and Niwari — have already recorded above-average rainfall this season. Tikamgarh and Niwari have recorded 42 inches of rain so far, while Indore and Ujjain remain below normal rainfall levels. On Tuesday, 32 districts received rainfall. Raisen alone recorded 4.5 inches of rain in just 9 hours, while Bhopal saw 1.9 inches, Shajapur 1.7 inches, Narsinghpur and Sagar 1.2 inches, and Narmadapuram, Dhar, Gwalior, and Pachmarhi around 1 inch. Several other districts also experienced moderate to heavy rain.

Forecast warns of more rain, thunderstorms

According to meteorologist Abhishek Mishra, heavy rain accompanied by lightning is likely to continue in Neemuch, Mandsaur, and Harda. Moderate rain with lightning is expected in Bhopal, Vidisha, Raisen, Sehore, Rajgarh, Narsinghpur, Betul, Narmadapuram, Ujjain, Ratlam, Guna, Shivpuri, Agar, Sagar, Khandwa, Burhanpur, and Khargone.

Maheshwar, Jhabua, Dewas, Shajapur, Indore, Dhar, Barwani, Alirajpur, Tikamgarh, Chhatarpur, Panna, Satna/Chitrakoot, Rewa, Maihar, Katni, Jabalpur, Chhindwara, Pandhurna, Damoh, Sheopurkalan, Morena, Ashoknagar, Seoni, Anuppur, and Shahdol are expected to receive light to moderate rain.

As per Dr. Divya E. Surendran, the persistent heavy rains are due to the central low-pressure system and two trough lines over Madhya Pradesh, which are likely to remain active until Wednesday.