Rewa, Sep 1 (IANS) Heavy rains triggered a flood-like situation in parts of Madhya Pradesh’s Satna and Rewa districts on Tuesday, with rivers and streams witnessing a sharp rise in water levels, disrupting road connectivity and prompting authorities to put vulnerable areas on alert.
In Satna, intense rainfall since Monday night has led to a rapid rise in the Mandakini and Simrawal rivers. The district administration has issued an alert for 36 villages along the Simrawal River in Rampur Baghelan and Kotar tehsils and advised residents in low-lying and riparian areas to move to safer locations.
Satna Collector Satish Kumar said the administration was closely monitoring the situation and had directed relief and rescue teams to remain prepared. “People living in vulnerable areas are being shifted to safer locations. Relief and rescue teams have been asked to remain vigilant and continuously monitor the situation,” he said.
The Mandakini River in Chitrakoot was flowing nearly two metres above the danger mark, while the Simrawal and several other rivers and streams were also in spate.
Around 300 shops in the Ramghat area of Chitrakoot were reportedly submerged.
Road connectivity has been affected at several places. A bridge on the Dengarhat-Khodri road in Majhgawan Janpad collapsed following continuous rainfall, bringing traffic on the route to a complete halt.
The Majhgawan-Pahadikheda link road has also been blocked, while roads and houses in Paldev gram panchayat were inundated.
In Rewa district, authorities are keeping a close watch on rivers, streams and other vulnerable locations as water levels continue to rise.
Administrative and police teams have been deployed to monitor the situation and respond to any emergency.
The gates of the Tamas River barrage have been opened amid increased water inflow. Sub-divisional magistrates have been directed to monitor their respective areas, while residents have been advised to stay away from swollen rivers, streams and flood-prone locations.
The India Meteorological Department has issued an orange alert for very heavy rainfall in Umaria and Balaghat and forecast heavy rain in Satna, Rewa, Panna, Mauganj, Sidhi, Singrauli, Katni, Shahdol, Anuppur, Dindori, Jabalpur, Mandla, Seoni and Chhindwara.
The weather system is expected to remain active over Madhya Pradesh until September 4.
According to the IMD, a low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal, along with an active trough, is influencing weather conditions over the state.
Madhya Pradesh has received around 27.7 inches of rainfall during the current monsoon season, about 74 per cent of its normal annual rainfall. The state received around 12 inches of rain in August and needs another 9.6 inches in September to reach the normal seasonal figure of 37.3 inches.
–IANS
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