Madhya Pradesh is gearing up for a period of intense monsoon rains, with forecasts indicating a high likelihood of heavy to extremely heavy rainfall across various districts. A well-marked low-pressure area has developed over Northeast Madhya Pradesh, which is expected to intensify into a depression and move northwestward toward Uttar Pradesh and eventually Uttarakhand.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for central Madhya Pradesh, warning of extremely heavy rainfall exceeding 204 mm in districts such as Guna, Ashoknagar, Vidisha, Raisen, Narmadapuram, Sehore, and Harda. This alert is in place for the next 24 hours, with the potential for localized flooding, waterlogging, and disruptions to traffic and daily life.
Impact on Daily Life and Infrastructure
The heavy rainfall is expected to cause significant disruptions, including localized flooding of roads, waterlogging in low-lying areas, and potential closure of underpasses. Residents can anticipate periodic reductions in visibility due to heavy rainfall, affecting both pedestrians and vehicular movement. Additionally, there is a risk of minor damage to kutcha roads and rural infrastructure, as well as potential harm to horticulture and standing crops due to inundation.
In various parts of the state, the heavy rains have already caused significant impacts. For instance, in Guna, the balcony of a house collapsed due to heavy rains, resulting in a fatality. The Ajnaal river in Harda has swollen, and two youths attempting to cross the river were swept away, with one still missing.
Rainfall Statistics and Future Forecasts
Madhya Pradesh has received approximately 95% of its monsoon season rainfall, with an average of 35.3 inches so far. Bhopal, in particular, has witnessed 113% of its normal rainfall, with the city receiving over 42.5 inches of rain this season. The IMD has predicted that after a brief period of normal weather, heavy rainfall is likely to return to parts of Madhya Pradesh after September 15, driven by a new low-pressure system forming in the Bay of Bengal.
The weather department has also forecast heavy and light rain in several districts, including Ratlam, Mandsaur, Jhabua, and Dindori, over the next few days. Light rain and thundershowers are expected to persist in cities like Bhopal, Indore, Jabalpur, and Gwalior.
Preparations and Alerts
In preparation for the heavy rainfall, the IMD has issued orange alerts for districts adjacent to the red alert areas and yellow alerts for the remaining districts in the state. The authorities have also opened sluice gates of various dams, such as the Halali Dam in Raisen and the Barkheda Dam in Dhar, to manage the water levels and prevent further flooding.
