Satna: At least 1,438 people have been evacuated to safer locations as floodwaters continue to affect more than 50 villages in Chitrakoot of Satna district in Madhya Pradesh, with the district administration, NDRF and SDRF engaged in round-the-clock relief and rescue operations.
The flood situation in Satna has persisted since August 29 following heavy rainfall and the rise in the Mandakini River. Several low-lying areas remained inundated, disrupting normal life and forcing residents to leave their homes.
District Magistrate Pulkit Garg said around 650 houses had been damaged in the floods so far, while 70 houses had completely collapsed.
The administration has been conducting surveys of the affected areas and shifting people from vulnerable locations to safer places. Relief camps have been established to accommodate evacuated families, while essential supplies are being distributed among those affected.
The NDRF has evacuated 1,438 people, while the SDRF has rescued around 100 people from flood-affected areas. Rescue personnel have been deployed in vulnerable pockets and are using boats and other equipment to reach people stranded or surrounded by floodwaters.
The flooding also led to a tragic incident in Barachhi Gram Panchayat under the Kotwali Karvi police station area, where a kutcha house collapsed following heavy rain, killing three members of the same family, Garg said on Thursday.
He shared that the district administration has been providing assistance to the affected family and carrying out relief operations in the area.
The Mandakini River remained a major concern, with its water level recorded at around 138.52 metres, close to the danger mark. Administration said the situation was being continuously monitored in view of the possibility of further rainfall. The impact of the flooding has also been felt in adjoining areas. The Mukundpur route in Maihar was closed after water started flowing over bridges, affecting road connectivity.
The broader weather situation in Madhya Pradesh remained active on Thursday. The Meteorological Department issued a red alert for extremely heavy rainfall in Tikamgarh and Damoh and an orange alert for 13 districts, including Gwalior, Bhind, Datia, Guna, Ashoknagar, Chhatarpur, Niwari, Panna, Sagar, Raisen, Narsinghpur, Chhindwara and Pandhurna.
Weather experts said the system was expected to advance on September 4 and its impact could be significant over several divisions of the state. The state has received 714.2 mm of rainfall so far against the normal 799.9 mm for the period, recording an overall deficit of around 11 per cent.
IANS
