Could Monsoon Havoc Persist in Eastern MP?

Bhopal, July 5 (NationPress) Severe rainfall has continued to batter eastern Madhya Pradesh for a second day, leading to flood-like conditions and causing significant disruptions to daily life.

In many areas, roads and bridges have either been submerged or completely washed away, isolating residents and hindering mobility.

Districts like Dindori, Balaghat, Jabalpur, Mandla, Rewa, and Sagar have been hit hardest by the unrelenting rains over the past 30 hours. Rivers and streams in these regions are overflowing, exacerbating the situation.

In Mandla, a landslide occurred on National Highway 30 on Friday, and a crucial bridge linking the district to Jabalpur was destroyed, affecting both connectivity and emergency operations.

Panic ensued in a tribal girls' hostel in Tikamgarh when floodwaters surged into the facility. Thankfully, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) acted quickly, rescuing all students to safety.

Given the worsening weather conditions and to prioritize the safety of children, district administrations in Dindori and Mandla have declared a holiday for all educational institutions.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for most regions of eastern Madhya Pradesh until July 8, cautioning against continued heavy to very heavy rainfall.

Additionally, yellow alerts are in effect for at least 20 districts, including Gwalior-Chambal, Sagar, Bhopal, and Indore, for the next 24 hours.

Jabalpur, which recorded 77 mm of rain on Friday alone, is expected to experience more showers in the forthcoming days. Authorities across affected areas have initiated rescue and relief measures. In Mandla district, approximately 300 individuals have been evacuated to safer locations, according to officials.

Despite the chaos, the overall rainfall statistics reveal a positive note. Madhya Pradesh has experienced nearly a 49% surplus in rainfall during the current monsoon season. From June 1 to July 4, the state witnessed 245.9 mm of rain, significantly exceeding the average of 164.7 mm, based on IMD data.

The capital city, Bhopal, received 205.4 mm of rainfall during this timeframe, against a normal of 165.5 mm, resulting in a 24% surplus. IMD officials clarified that rainfall variations of 20% above or below the average are deemed normal. However, some areas continue to experience deficiencies.

Districts such as Shajapur and Burhanpur are reporting a 25-26% deficit in rainfall, underscoring the uneven distribution of monsoon precipitation throughout the state.