Madhya Pradesh floods: 527 rescued, CM reviews relief as heavy rain persists
At least 527 people have been rescued from flood-affected areas in Madhya Pradesh, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said on Tuesday, even as heavy rain continued to lash several districts for the third consecutive day.
Mr. Yadav visited the Home Guard headquarters in Bhopal and reviewed the situation virtually from the State Disaster Management Situation Room. He issued directions to officials overseeing rescue and relief operations.
“Although there is an El Niño effect and about 15% less rainfall than normal has been recorded, some areas are receiving heavy rains. Rescue teams have been deployed in those places, and 527 people have been saved so far. On Monday, seven Kanwar pilgrims were rescued in Khandwa after they got stuck due to a sudden rise in water levels,” Mr. Yadav told reporters.
The worst-affected districts include Rajgarh, Shivpuri, Raisen, Bhopal, Sehore, Ujjain, Mandla, and Mauganj. The Chief Minister said rescue efforts continued through the night, and arrangements were being made to provide food to people stranded in their homes.
Rainfall since Saturday prompted authorities to launch rescue operations involving teams from the State Disaster Emergency Response Force (SDERF), Home Guard, and local police. Mr. Yadav also interacted with affected residents and rescue personnel through video conferencing.
“I have instructed officials to ensure coordination between neighbouring districts where rescue operations are required at multiple locations and to deploy air ambulances if necessary,” he said, urging people living near water bodies to exercise caution.
On Monday, nine people died in Rajgarh district’s Sarangpur area when a van they were travelling in was swept away while trying to cross a bridge over a swollen drain. Mr. Yadav expressed regret over the incident and noted that the area received nine inches of rainfall on Sunday night. He advised people to avoid travelling through risky areas during the monsoon.
