The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a ‘red alert’ for the city of Indore in Madhya Pradesh, warning of extremely heavy rainfall expected on Monday. This warning comes as Western Madhya Pradesh is bracing for intense rainfall on September 17. While Western Madhya Pradesh is expected to witness heavy rainfall, other parts of the state are also forecasted to experience moderate rainfall, as per the IMD.
The IMD has reported the presence of a Low Pressure Area over Southeast Rajasthan and adjoining West Madhya Pradesh, which is likely to gradually move over southwest Rajasthan in the next two days. This weather system is contributing to the heavy rainfall forecast.
The IMD has also issued warnings and red alert of heavy to very heavy rainfall in West Madhya Pradesh and North Konkan regions during September 17-18.
In addition to the heavy rainfall warnings, the IMD has issued a flash flood risk warning for certain watersheds and neighborhoods in adjoining West Madhya Pradesh for the next 24 hours.
Madhya Pradesh has already experienced exceptionally heavy rainfall in the past 24 hours, with three districts in southwest Madhya Pradesh recording the highest rainfall. Katthiwada (Alirajpur) recorded 341 mm of rainfall, Meghnagar (Jhabua) recorded 316 mm, and Dhar city received 301.3 mm of rainfall. This level of rainfall has been reported as the highest in Madhya Pradesh since 1958.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan held a virtual meeting with officials and gave instructions to deal with the situation. He mentioned that the Army and Air Force would be called in if required for flood relief operations. The situation is currently under control, and the State Disaster Emergency Response Force (SDERF) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams are actively working in the affected areas.
Furthermore, an Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopter conducted a rescue operation to airlift a pregnant woman and two family members from their flooded house in Ujjain district. The operation was carried out due to incessant rains and flooding in the area, ensuring the safety of those stranded.
The situation in the affected areas continues to be monitored, and necessary measures are being taken to mitigate the impact of heavy rainfall and potential flooding.