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Heavy rains across Madhya Pradesh have caused widespread flooding, affecting daily life in many districts. In Chitrakoot, water from the Mandakini river has submerged key pilgrimage sites like Ramghat and Bharatghat. Roads are under water, and residents are struggling to stay safe as rain continues for the seventh straight day.
In Maihar, the Lilji River overflowed and flooded the Sharda Mandir Road.
The state has already received about 16 inches of rain this monsoon. The eastern region, especially Mandla, Seoni, Balaghat, Maihar, and Dindori, is worst affected. In Mandla, seven people have died, and two are missing. More than 300 houses are damaged. The administration has shifted 312 people to seven relief camps.
In Seoni, 6.5 inches of rain fell within nine hours on Friday. Similar conditions were reported in Umaria, Chhatarpur, Satna, and Katni. Streets and homes in Shahdol, Sidhi, and Mauganj were also flooded.
Dr. Divya E. Surendran from the Meteorological Department said three weather systems are passing through the state. “One of them is a monsoon turf. It is causing continuous heavy rainfall. The situation is likely to continue for four to five more days,” she said.
More rain, More Districts on Alert
The Meteorological Department has issued an orange alert for very heavy rainfall in ten districts including Chhindwara, Seoni, Damoh, and Katni. Up to eight inches of rain could fall in the next 24 hours. Another 35 districts, including Bhopal, Gwalior, Rewa, and Balaghat, are on alert for heavy rain.
In Chitrakoot, rising river levels have flooded shops and homes. Rescue teams are searching for a youth feared drowned in the Mandakini. At the old Lanka junction, boats are now being used to move around.
The Gupt Godavari cave is now submerged. Shops near the ghats are underwater. Residents say this reminds them of the 2003 floods.
In Satna, a tree fell on a moving car. All five passengers survived, but the car was damaged. In Guna, two boys, aged six and eight, drowned while bathing in a river.
The Harsi dam on the Shivpuri-Gwalior border has reached full capacity. Water has begun overflowing, putting nearly 20 nearby villages at risk.
Flood threat rises across Madhya Pradesh
In Sidhi, water entered several homes and business outlets. In Maihar, a house wall collapsed during the downpour, injuring a woman. She is being treated at Amarpatan Civil Hospital.
The state government has not yet declared a formal emergency. But with roads washed out and floodwaters entering urban areas, the pressure on local administrations is growing. Relief work continues, and teams are on standby in vulnerable regions.
The rain is expected to persist. Officials warn of more damage if the downpour doesn't ease. “We are on alert round the clock,” said Dr. Surendran. “People must stay informed and follow advisories strictly.”
As of now, there is no clear end in sight. The coming days will test the state’s capacity to respond and recover.
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