Heavy Rains Pound Madhya Pradesh, Dam Breaches and Rivers Overflow

Heavy rain continues to batter Madhya Pradesh, causing floods, road blockages, and dam breaches across several districts. Guna recorded 12.92 inches of rainfall in just 24 hours, triggering a dangerous situation at the Kalora Dam.

The west side of the dam has broken by nearly 15 feet. Officials fear a complete collapse, which could flood nearby villages. The administration has deployed the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the army to manage the crisis.

“We’ve rescued around 250 people from Tumda and Bandha,” said Shivani Pandey, Sub-Divisional Magistrate of Guna. “They’re now staying at a government school in Fatehgarh.”

Two army contingents have arrived in Guna. Each has 15 personnel, now stationed in different parts of Bamor to assist with rescue efforts.

In Vidisha, the Betwa River has risen sharply. Water has reached temples along the riverbank. The Ganesh temple on Bhopat Road is partially submerged.

Schools have been closed in several districts, including Bhopal, Ashoknagar, and Narmadapuram, due to continuous rain.

In Shivpuri, floodwaters stranded 30 schoolchildren in Pachavali village. Local authorities sheltered them at the house of the village head. They have been there since Tuesday, waiting for the water to recede.

Many in Sangeshwar village are now living in tents on rooftops. In some areas, rivers have risen by nearly 20 feet. Floodwaters have submerged bridges and entered homes in several villages.

The India Meteorological Department attributes the extreme rainfall to a low-pressure area and two active troughs passing through central Madhya Pradesh.

“On Tuesday, a system formed in the center of the state,” said Dr. Divya E. Surendran, Senior Meteorologist at IMD. “This led to heavy rain across many districts. The same conditions are expected on Wednesday.”

The IMD has warned of very heavy rain in six districts: Neemuch, Mandsaur, Sheopur, Guna, Agar-Malwa, and Rajgarh. These areas could receive up to 8.5 inches of rain in the next 24 hours. Heavy rain is also likely in Bhopal, Vidisha, Sehore, Shajapur, Ujjain, Ratlam, Morena, Shivpuri, Ashoknagar, Dindori, Mandla, and Balaghat. These districts may see up to 4.5 inches of rainfall. 

On Tuesday alone, 32 districts received rain. Raisen recorded 4.5 inches in just nine hours. Bhopal, Shajapur, Narsinghpur, and Sagar also saw significant rainfall.

The impact is visible across the state. In Mandla, a man lost his motorbike while trying to cross a flooded bridge. In Vidisha, two children were swept away by rising water but were rescued in time. In Itarsi, officials opened nine gates of the Tawa Dam, releasing one lakh cusecs of water. In Shamshabad, a 60-year-old woman died when her mud house collapsed due to rain.

More than 50 people are stranded at different locations in Shivpuri. Rescue teams are yet to reach some of them. Parts of government buildings in Morena collapsed during the downpour. In Damoh, a couple stranded by a sudden river surge were rescued by the State Disaster Response Force.

Across the state, monsoon rainfall has crossed the season’s average. Since June 16, Madhya Pradesh has received an average of 26.2 inches of rain, about 9 inches more than expected by this time.

Eight districts have already met or exceeded their seasonal rainfall targets. These include Gwalior, Shivpuri, Ashoknagar, Morena, Sheopur, Chhatarpur, Tikamgarh, and Niwari. Tikamgarh and Niwari top the list with 42 inches of rain so far.

IMD officials urge people in affected areas to stay alert. “The system is still active,” said Dr. Surendran. “We advise people to avoid flood-prone zones and follow local advisories.”

Rescue operations will continue through Wednesday as officials monitor dam levels and rising rivers.

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