Madhya Pradesh Floods: 1,225 Villages Affected; PM Modi Speaks to CM Chouhan

About 1,171 villages are affected due to heavy rains and floods in Shivpuri, Sheopur, Datia and Gwalior districts.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Wednesday, 4 August, said that the situation in the northern party of the state is grim, adding that at least 1,225 villages have been affected and efforts are underway to rescue 1,950 people.

The chief minister on Wednesday conducted an aerial survey of the flood-affected areas in the state, news agency ANI reported.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a tweet on Wednesday said that he spoke to CM Chouhan about the flood situation in the state. He also said that the Centre is working closely with the state government to assist those affected by the heavy rains.

The Central Government is working closely with the Madhya Pradesh Government to assist those affected by heavy rainfall and flooding in parts of the state. I have spoken to CM @ChouhanShivraj and reviewed the situation. I pray for everyone’s safety and well-being.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 4, 2021

A red alert has been sounded for Shivpuri, Sheopur, Guna and two other districts of Madhya Pradesh (MP) as no respite from torrential rain appears to be in sight for the state’s worst-hit Gwalior-Chambal region in the next 24 hours.

उत्तरी मध्यप्रदेश में बाढ़ की स्थिति गंभीर है। शिवपुरी, श्योपुर, दतिया, ग्वालियर, गुना, भिंड और मुरैना ज़िलों के 1,225 गाँव प्रभावित हैं। 240 गाँव में #SDRF, @NDRFHQ, भारतीय सेना, @BSF_India ने मिलकर लगभग 5,950 लोगों को सुरक्षित निकालने में सफलता प्राप्त की है। pic.twitter.com/xJkGEAiIYl

— Shivraj Singh Chouhan (@ChouhanShivraj) August 4, 2021

CM Chouhan also stated that Shivpuri's communication system has been damaged and he has requested the telecom ministry to try and restore the infrastructure.

Here is the flood situation at present:

• Approximately 1,225 villages in Shivpuri, Sheopur, Datia, Gwalior, Guna, Bhind and Morena districts are affected.

• Nearly 5,950 people have been rescued so far from the flood-hit areas of the Gwalior-Chambal region.

• More than 200 villages in Shivpuri and Sheopur districts have been badly affected by heavy rain and floods.

• Shivpuri district reported 470 mm rainfall in the last 24 hours and 798 mm rain in 48 hours.

• Over 100 people were rescued from 22 villages of the district on Tuesday morning.

Rescue Operations Underway, At least 1,000 People Still Trapped

Taking to Twitter Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, on Wednesday, 4 August, said that 30 villages of Sheopur are affected by floods due to the floods in Quarri, Seep, Parvati rivers. He added that rescue operations for at least 1,000 people trapped in Jawalapur, Bheravada, Mewara, Jatkheda villages are underway.

In a separate Tweet, CM Chouhan stated that the Army has rescued 17 people trapped in Datia's Pali village and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has rescued 20 people from Kali Pahari of Shivpuri and 11 from Tapkeshwar temple on 4 August.

The CM also said that the state government has asked for four columns of the army so that they are able to rescue the people who are stranded due to the floods.

“SDRF team is doing good work. Two ministers are in Shivpuri and are monitoring the situation and are in talks with me. One column of Indian Army is of 80 personnel. They are sending one column each for four districts. From Jhansi, they are mobilising for Gwalior and Datia and from Babeena (UP) for Shivpuri and Sheopur."

MP State Home Minister Narottam Mishra on 4 August visited the the flood-affected areas in Gwalior to take stock of the situation.

डबरा और दतिया जिले में बाढ़ प्रभावित इलाकों में पहुंचकर राहत व बचाव कार्य का जायजा ले रहा हूं।

ग्राम कोटरा के सामुदायिक केंद्र में शिफ्ट किए गए बाढ़ प्रभावित लोगों से मुलाकात कर कुशलक्षेम जाना। प्रशासन के अधिकारियों को प्रभावित परिवारों के भोजन व इलाज की व्यवस्था के निर्देश दिए। pic.twitter.com/noLJEedbds

— Dr Narottam Mishra (@drnarottammisra) August 4, 2021

IAF Tweets Visuals of Rescue Ops

Meanwhile the Indian Air Force (IAF) tweeted visuals of the an IAF Task Force, which is functional at Air Force Station in Gwalior and is coordinating flood relief efforts at Shivpuri District.

“Rescue Ops are underway with 5 helicopters operating from Gwalior & Shivpuri (sic),” tweeted the IAF.

More Details

The CM has reportedly asked IAF rescue teams to give priority to those taking shelter on trees in Shivpuri district’s Bichi village. People are also taking shelter on trees in Dongar village and efforts are reportedly being made to rescue them, as well.

Earlier, in the day, ANI had reported that Indian Air Force HAL-Dhruv Helicopter had been deployed to carry out a rescue mission.

Meanwhile, according to an NDTV report, rail tracks have gone underwater due to the rain and flood water between Shivpuri and Mahona stations of Guna-Gwalior section. Thus, five trains have been cancelled partially or are running on a diverted route.

(With inputs from NDTV and ANI)