India – Over 20 Killed in Madhya Pradesh Floods

by in Asia, News

At least 22 people have died in floods since 07 July in the central India state of Madhya Pradesh while Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted more rainfall to come with a red level (highest) warning for heavy rain issued for today.

Over 300,000 people have been affected by the flooding, officials say. The worst hit areas are the districts of Bhopal, Shajapur, Jabalpur, Satna, Harda and Panna.

A spokesman for Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Singh Chouhan, told PTI that the fatalities occurred in Bhopal (5), Jabalpur (5), Vidisha (3) and 1 in each of the districts of Raisen, Rewa, Sagar, Mandla, Tikamgarh, Seoni, Damoh, Sehore and Agar-Malwa.

As many as 7,000 people have been rescued so far in the state, the officer added. Military helicopter teams and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) crews in boats have been carrying out rescue and evacuation operations.

Over 15,000 people have evacuated and are currently staying in 68 relief camps set up for the flood victims. Just under half of those displaced are in Bhopal. Officials have been directed to test water samples of affected areas and ensure that diseases do not break out due to polluted water.

As many as 2,360 houses have been severely damaged or destroyed due to the floods, and 17,236 houses partially damaged.

Widespread damage has also been caused to roads in affected areas. Chief Minister Singh Chouhan today said that there would be no shortage of funds for construction and repair of roads and that officials have been asked to send damage assessments. He also requested officials to immediately identify weak bridges and culverts across the state and stop movement of heavy vehicles on them.

Madhya Pradesh suffered deadly floods in July 2015, when 2 people died and 2,000 were displaced from the districts of Burhanpur, Harda, Balaghat and Betul.

Rivers

All India Radio News says that the Panchganga and other rivers in Kolhapur are flowing in full spate.

India’s Central Water Commission says that the level of the Narmada (Rewa) River at Hoshangabad is 292.5 metres and rising. Warning levels is at 292.8 metres and danger level 293.8 metres. The highest level on record is 301.33 metres from August 1972.

Image: Central Water Commission (CWC), Flood Forecast.
Image: Central Water Commission (CWC), Flood Forecast.
NDRF flood rescue in Bhopal district. Photo: NDRF
National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) flood rescue in Bhopal district. Photo: NDRF

Social Media

Flood Summary

Last updated: August 23, 2016
Event
Madhya Pradesh, India, July to August 2016
Date
July 7, 2016
Type
Inland flood, River flood
Cause
Extreme rainfall, Long-term rainfall
Heavy monsoon rainfall over several days from 07 July resulted in floods in several districts of Madhya Pradesh, displacing thousands and leaving dozens dead. Further heavy rain from 19 August led to 17 deaths and rivers in Satna, including Tamas, Simrawal and Chhoti Tamas flowing close to the danger mark.

Locations

A - Bhopal
B - Satna
C - Shajapur
D - Jabalpur
E - Harda
F - Panna

Magnitude

River level
292.5 metres
Narmada River at Hoshangabad - July 12 to July 12, 2016

Damages

Fatalities
37 people
July 7, 2016
Evacuated
15,000
July 7, 2016
As of 18 July, the number had fallen to around 8,000.
Buildings destroyed
2298 buildings
July 7, 2016
Missing people
9 people
July 7 to July 20, 2016
Fatalities
17 people
Satna - August 19 to August 23, 2016
Evacuated
4,500
Satna - August 19 to August 23, 2016

Related Links