Heavy rainfall has wreaked havoc in several districts of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, leading to a flood-like situation. The Indian Air Force (IAF) has now stepped in to provide relief materials at Bhind and Morena near Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh and also in Rajasthan. The IAF continued its helicopter deployment in both the states on Thursday for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations, news agency ANI said in a report.
#WATCH | Indian Air Force continues its helicopter deployment in Madhya Pradesh & Rajasthan for Humanitarian Assistance & Disaster Relief operations. Yesterday relief materials were dropped by IAF helicopters at Bhind & Morena near Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh & also in Rajasthan. pic.twitter.com/e96ad72AEN
— ANI (@ANI) August 25, 2022
According to the weather agency, heavy downpours are expected over east Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Northeast India on August 27 and 28. The northeastern states are also likely to receive fairly widespread light to moderate rainfall with isolated heavy rainfall over the next five days, the weather department said.
HIMACHAL PRADESH
Meanwhile, torrential rains lashed several districts of Himachal Pradesh for the past two days, following which 147 roads have been submerged and 475 electric transformers have been shut down. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted heavy rainfall in at least 10 to 11 districts and has issued a red alert for four districts of the state. According to the weather agency, heavy rainfall is likely to lash Himachal Pradesh for the next two days and an advisory has been issued.
"There is a possibility of heavy rain in Sirmaur, Shimla, Mandi, Hamirpur, Kangra, Kullu and Chamba districts in the next 48 hours. Along with this, a red alert has been issued for heavy rain in 4 districts, including Mandi, Hamirpur, Shimla and Kangra. The effect of western disturbance and monsoon activity will be visible in the state," Surendra Pal, Director, IMD Shimla said.
"Rains have caused widespread destruction in the state, causing a great loss of life and property. Chances are slim that there would be relief from heavy rainfall in the coming days. People and tourists have been appealed to take precaution and not to go near landslide prone areas and river drains," he added.
RAJASTHAN
A flood-like situation has emerged in several districts of Rajasthan owing to torrential rains. Due to heavy rainfall in Udaipur, all private and government schools will remain closed today, reported news agency ANI citing District Collector Tarachand Meena’s order.
The water level in Kalisindh river has crossed the danger mark, prompting the authorities to sound a red alert in Rajasthan's Baran district. The district administration has been put on alert mode.
More than 4,000 people have been shifted from flood-hit areas to safer places in the past two days while security personnel were deployed for rescue efforts in Kota, Jhalawar, Baran and Bundi districts of Rajasthan.
Though the situation was better on Wednesday as the water started receding, several areas in these districts are still submerged following heavy rainfall, officials said.
Chief minister Ashok Gehlot has directed officials to conduct a survey to assess the loss of property due to the heavy rainfall in Kota and neighbouring areas.
Former chief minister Vasundhara Raje, along with her son and Jhalawar-Baran MP Dushyant Singh, conducted an aerial survey of flood-hit areas in Jhalawar, Kota and Baran districts.
MADHYA PRADESH
Normal life was thrown out of gear in Central and east Madhya Pradesh due to heavy rainfall on Tuesday. Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan took stock of the flood situation in Vidisha and conducted an aerial survey of the area.
The CM also chaired a meeting with Agricultural Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, ACS Irrigation and ACS Home from Bhopal, the Chief Medical Officer and officials of the three rainfall affected districts. He directed the NDRF and SDRF teams to carry out the evacuation of people lying in low-lying areas.
GUJARAT
Following heavy inflow of water from Madhya Pradesh, the authorities in Gujarat are currently releasing more than six lakh cusecs of water into the Narmada river from the Sardar Sarovar dam by opening its 23 gates, officials told PTI.
In view of the discharge of water, more than 100 people living in low-lying areas of Bharuch city and district have been shifted to safety so far, they said.
"With such a huge inflow of water, Narmada river is now flowing above the danger level of 24 feet near Bharuch town, forcing the authorities to shift more than 100 persons living in low lying areas," said Bharuch district collector Tushar Sumera.
(With PTI inputs)