New Delhi: Flash floods triggered by incessant rain in Madhya Pradesh and Assam have killed at least 24 people and forced more than 170,000 people out of their homes.
Seven more persons died in flood-related incidents in Madhya Pradesh in the last 24 hours, taking the toll so far in rain-related incidents to 22. Heavy rain pounded north-eastern state of Assam, killing at least two persons.
The meteorological department predicted more rainfall in both the states in coming days.
“Twenty two people have died due to flood so far and nine persons are missing,” an officer of the Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Press Cell told PTI today.
Five persons each have died in Bhopal and Jabalpur while three in Vidisha. One person each has died in Raisen, Rewa, Sagar, Mandla, Tikamgarh, Seoni, Damoh, Sehore and Agar-Malwa districts, he added.
As many as 7,000 people have been rescued so far in the state, the officer added.
According to the officer, 3,32,400 persons have been affected by downpour in the state including 80,000 in Bhopal, 50,000 in Shajapur, 45,000 in Jabalpur, 25,000 each in Satna and Harda and 21,000 in Panna districts.
Nearly 15,819 people ravaged by flood were living in the 68 camps, of them 6,710 were putting up in 14 shelter homes in Bhopal, 2,000 in 18 camps in Harda, 2,000 in eight camps in Sehore, 1,400 in seven camps in Vidisha, 1,265 in five shelter homes in Satna and rest in other districts, he said.
He said, 2,360 houses have been completely damaged due to the flood while 17,236 houses have been partially damaged.
According to Indian Meteorological Department, Bhopal Centre, 34 districts have received more than average rainfall, 11 districts have registered normal rains, less rainfall has been recorded in five district and poor rain in one district.
Rain and thunder shower is likely to occur at most places over Madhya Pradesh in next 24 hours, IMD Bhopal Centre’s Director Anupam Kashyapi said.
He said heavy to very heavy rainfall likely to occur at isolated places over Guna, Neemuch, Mandsaur, Ratlam, Ujjain, Shajapur, Rajgarh, Sehore and Agar-Malwa districts in next 24 hours.
Heavy rainfall is likely to lash a few places over Bhopal, Indore, Raisen, Jhabua, Alirajpur, Hoshangabad, Harda, Dhar, Khargone, Khandwa, Shivpuri and Sheopur districts.
Meanwhile, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan today reviewed the flood situation and instructed the officials to make foolproof arrangements to tackle an outbreak of water-borne diseases.
He asked officials to put up camps at the places affected by the downpour.
The Chief Minister said the samples of drinking water of the flood ravaged areas should be sent for test to ensure that people get pure potable water.
He also asked officials to carry out a survey of the places affected by the flood so that a proposal seeking financial help from the Centre can be send as soon as possible.
In Assam, heavy rains resulted in deaths of at least two people and at least 1,00,000 people being forced to take shelter on higher ground.
Brahmaputra river, which flows into Bangladesh, has crossed the danger mark due heavy and consistent rain. Assam Chief Minister, Sarbananda Sonowal ordered officials to distribute food, clothing and medicines to people who could not return to their homes. Temporary shelter homes have been set u to accommodate those displaced by floods.
Brahmaputra waters have also submerged 60 per cent of Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary located in Morigaon district and damaged around 50 per cent infrastructure of the world's densest habitat of the Great Indian one-horn rhinoceros.
Two persons were washed away in Assam yesterday. Over 1.35 lakh people have been affected in Lakhimpur, Golaghat, Morigaon, Barpeta and Jorhat districts.
In Odisha, heavy rainfall is likely at some places due to a low pressure area formed over Jharkhand and adjoining areas North Odisha.
Strong gusty surface wind from southwesterly direction with speed 45-55 KMPH and reaching up to 60 KMPH would prevail along and off Odisha Coast, the MeT office in the state said.
It asked fishermen not to venture into sea in view of rough weather condition.
In Rajasthan, at least three places received rains in excess of 10 cms in the last 24 hours ending 8.30 am today. Maximum rainfall was recorded at Jhalawar (23 cms) followed by Bakani (15 cms) and Jhalarapatan (10 cms).
Heavy rains drenched parts Himachal Pradesh and more rainfall is predicted in the coming week. Jubbar Hatti received 21 mm of rains and Dharamsala 18 mm since yesterday.
However, in Haryana, Punjab, and Chandigarh, there has been no significant rainfall, leading to a rise in mercury level during the past few days.
Hisar in Haryana was the hottest place in the two states recording a maximum temperature of 38.6 degrees Celsius, up two notches against normal.
Day temperatures in West Bengal remained below 35 degree Celsius today with light to moderate rainfall in many parts of the state. Kolkata recorded 32.6 degrees Celsius with cloudy sky and rainfall of 8.9 mm.
