Is a Flash Flood Risk Looming for 19 Districts in MP?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Flash flood alert issued for 19 districts in MP.
- Residents urged to stay cautious and avoid low-lying areas.
- Weather conditions include ongoing rainfall and saturated soil.
- Authorities are prepared with disaster response teams on standby.
- Monitoring of river and reservoir levels is ongoing.
Bhopal, July 29 (NationPress) The India Meteorological Department (IMD) in Bhopal has issued a warning regarding potential flash floods affecting 19 districts in western Madhya Pradesh within the next 24 hours, due to saturated soil and ongoing rainfall.
The districts under this alert include Ashoknagar, Betul, Bhind, Datia, Dewas, Guna, Gwalior, Harda, Khandwa, Morena, Narmadapuram, Raisen, Rajgarh, Sehore, Shajapur, Sheopur, Shivpuri, and Vidisha.
The IMD's recent bulletin indicates that surface runoff and flooding may affect low-lying regions and fully saturated watersheds in the warned areas.
This alert coincides with a persistent low-pressure system over northwest Madhya Pradesh, coupled with a cyclonic circulation reaching up to 5.8 km above mean sea level, tilting southwestward as it ascends.
The current monsoon trough extends from Sri Ganganagar, where the low-pressure zone resides, stretching east-southeastward towards the northeast Bay of Bengal, as detailed in the weather office's release.
Rainfall has been widespread, particularly in Bhopal, Indore, Narmadapuram, Ujjain, and Jabalpur divisions, while regions like Gwalior, Chambal, and Shahdol experienced rain in multiple locations.
The Sagar division saw scattered showers, and isolated rainfall was reported in the Rewa division, while other areas remained dry.
Maximum temperatures across the state did not show significant changes but were notably below normal by 3.0 to 3.4 degrees Celsius in Bhopal, Indore, and Rewa divisions, and by 2.0 to 2.8 degrees Celsius in Narmadapuram, Ujjain, Jabalpur, Shahdol, and Sagar divisions.
Minimum temperatures remained relatively stable, though Indore division reported a decrease of 2.4 degrees Celsius below normal, while Shahdol division noted an increase of 1.8 degrees Celsius above normal.
Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning were observed in regions including Singrauli, Sidhi, Rewa, Mauganj, Satna, Anuppur, Shahdol, Umaria, Dindori, and Maihar.
Extensive rainfall was recorded across nearly all districts in the state, encompassing major urban centers and tribal areas, according to weather officials.
Officials have advised residents in affected districts to stay vigilant and avoid low-lying zones. Disaster response units are on alert, with district administrations actively monitoring river and reservoir water levels.