Heavy Rain Batters Bhopal, 3 Inches In 3 Hours; MP Districts Reel Under Downpour

Bhopal experienced intense rainfall, with 3 inches recorded in just three hours on Tuesday evening, as reported by the meteorological department. In the preceding 24 hours, Biaora, Khilchipur, and Zirapur saw 9, 8, and 7.5 inches of rain respectively, while Rajgarh and Gulana received 4.4 and 4 inches. The Narmada, Betwa, and Kalisind rivers overflowed in Vidisha and Narmadapuram districts, causing disruptions to road connectivity.

Small bridges and culverts overflowed, leaving many areas waterlogged. Schools in Bhopal and Raisen districts were closed due to heavy rainfall. In Raisen, small bridges on Sanchi and Bhopal roads were submerged as Betwa River levels rose. Water reached waist-deep levels in a school in Semra. A school van got stuck in a pothole in Shivpuri, but children managed to free it.

Heavy rain caused severe waterlogging and traffic jams on NH 46 in Shivpuri, requiring rescues and setting up relief camps. A family stranded by floods in Gopalpura village was rescued, and another family affected by house collapse was relocated to a community hall. Sheikh Abdul, a 35-year-old native of West Bengal, drowned while bathing in Chhita Khudri Dam.

A warning has been issued for very heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds in several districts, including Bhopal, Vidisha, Raisen, Sehore, Narmadapuram, Betul, Harda, Indore, and others. The Bhopal District Education Officer ordered all government, private, and aided schools to remain closed on Wednesday due to the heavy rainfall.