Flash flood in MP: Seven dead, two missing as van swept away in Rajgarh
Seven people, including two children and a woman, died on Monday (August 10, 2026) in a flash flood in Madhya Pradesh’s Rajgarh district after the van they were travelling in was swept away, police said.
The incident took place in the early hours near a small bridge in Padana village under Sarangpur tehsil. The van was attempting to cross a bridge that had water flowing over it when it was washed away, said Sarangpur Sub-Divisional Officer of Police (SDOP) Arvind Singh.
There were 11 passengers in the vehicle, including women and children. Two people have been rescued alive, while rescue efforts are continuing for two others who remain missing, Mr. Singh said.
The victims were residents of Dewas district. A purported video from the scene shows two locals helping one passenger to safety using a rope amid neck-deep water.
Mr. Singh said about 45 villages across Sarangpur tehsil are facing a flood-like situation, and urban areas are dealing with severe water-logging. A sudden rise in water levels prompted authorities to launch rescue operations across the affected areas.
“The area has received cloudburst-like rain since around midnight [Sunday] and the situation turned bad very quickly in several villages. The administration and the police have been running rescue efforts since early morning to bring people to safety,” he said.
“In the morning, we received information from Padana about the van. The rescue teams reached the spot soon and seven bodies have been recovered so far. The search operation is going on to find the two missing persons,” Mr. Singh added.
Police said the strong current pushed the vehicle off the bridge, leaving the occupants with little time to escape. The van was carrying passengers from Dewas district, possibly on a routine trip.
A preliminary inquiry suggests the driver may have ignored warnings. “Locals are saying that the driver showed negligence and moved ahead to cross the bridge even after people warned him about high-flowing water,” the officer said. An investigation has been initiated to determine the exact cause of the accident.
The district administration has deployed rescue teams and boats to evacuate people stranded in flooded areas. Medical teams have been kept on standby. “We are doing everything possible to ensure the safety of villagers,” said a senior administrative officer.
Authorities have urged people in low-lying areas to move to safer locations and avoid crossing waterlogged roads or bridges during heavy rain. They have also advised villagers to cooperate with rescue teams and follow safety guidelines.
Madhya Pradesh has been receiving intense monsoon rainfall over the past few days, leading to rising water levels in rivers, streams, and culverts. The India Meteorological Department has issued alerts for several districts, predicting more rain in the coming days. Local administrations have been asked to remain vigilant and respond swiftly to any emergency.
The tragic incident highlights the dangers posed by flash floods during the monsoon season. Experts say that sudden, intense rainfall can turn small streams and culverts into deadly torrents, and people should exercise extreme caution while travelling in such conditions.
