MP: 38 of 52 Districts on Heavy Rain Alert, Narmada Flowing Above Danger Mark

Bhopal: The Madhya Pradesh government has issued a high alert on Tuesday, September 10, as Narmada river is flowing a foot above the danger mark due to heavy rains. The danger level of the Narmada at Sethani Ghat is 964 feet.

A team of officials under the leadership of IAS Sheelendra Singh is monitoring the rising water level in the river round the clock and is ready to deal with any emergency situation. Despite heavy rainfall in Madhya Pradesh and opening of sluice gates of all the dams, the areas in East Madhya Pradesh like Balaghat, Rewa, Katni, and Panna districts are still rain deficient.

While other districts of eastern region hardly recorded surplus rainfall, the western region has recorded 33% surplus rainfall. Meanwhile, another spell of rain has drenched the state capital. Alert continues for heavy rain in 33 districts in Madhya Pradesh. The state capital recorded 33 mm rainfall in just 45 minutes in the evening for the fourth consecutive day leading to opening of gates of various dams.

Also read: MP Villagers Affected by Rising Waters of Sardar Sarovar Protest, Demand Rehabilitation

In the past 24 hours as well, moderate to heavy rains have showered over many parts of the state including Khandwa, Sidhi, Dhar and Bhopal. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted extremely heavy rainfall for isolated places in 18 districts in the state, including Indore and Harda, till Wednesday (September 11) evening.

It also said heavy to very heavy rainfall will take place in 20 districts, including Bhopal and Jabalpur, during this period. According to MP Water Resources Department website, the Narmada river was flowing at 166.60 metres, above the danger mark of 163.98 metres, at Mortakka in Khargone district at 4 PM on Tuesday.

As per the meteorological department, rains witnessed in the region are caused by low-pressure area over North East Madhya Pradesh and adjoining areas. Moderate rains will continue over the state for the next few days. However, it is expected that by September 12, rains will cover many parts of the state, while the northern districts like Gwalior, Morena, Datia, Shivpuri will get light rains only.

Villages on Narmada Bank on the Verge of Submergence

Villages of Nisarpur area located in Dhar district of the state are facing submersion by the backwaters of the Narmada river as the water level in the Sardar Sarovar dam continues to rise. The dam was built on Narmada river on the borders of Madhya Pradesh-Gujarat.

The area has been experiencing heavy rainfall for the past fortnight. By September 11, water in the dam had already risen to 136.6 meters as opposed to the expected 135 meters by the end of September. The dam was to reach its full level of 138.68 meters by October 15. Now, around 178 villages face the threat of submersion without appropriate rehabilitation measures. Rivers like Narmada, Shipra, and Chambal are flowing above the danger mark.

Also read: Narmada Protest: Indefinite Hunger Strike Enters 9th Day, Fate of 32,000 Families Hangs on Balance

The meteorological department said that 12 out of 20 gates of the Indira Sagar, the state’s largest dam, built on Narmada in Khandwa had been opened, while seven out of 21 gates of Bargi Dam in Jabalpur also had to be opened to release excess water.

198 rain-related deaths in Last 3 Months

Madhya Pradesh has seen 198 rain-related deaths since the advent of monsoon in June this year, additional secretary of the state’s revenue department GV Rashmi said on Tuesday. “It includes deaths caused by drowning and lightning. Four deaths have been reported from Guna, Rajgarh, Vidisha and Katni districts in the past 48 hours,” Rashmi said.

(With inputs from PTI)