Heavy rain lashes Bhopal and parts of Madhya Pradesh

1520 hrs, Bhopal, Aug 14, 2006.

Normal life was thrown out of gear in over two dozen low-lying localities in Bhopal the capital city of Madhya Pradesh, as incessant rains lashed the city since last night. Heavy downpour inundated vast areas and has caused extensive damage to houses, slum clusters and roads. About 11 people have been feared dead, three are said to be missing, while several areas have submerged. Water was as high as three to four feet in many low lying areas of Bhopal today morning. Major trains have halted outside the city as water flowed through the streets. Rains have stopped for a while now, while district administration is trying to pump water out of the low lying areas of Bhopal. It has set up eight relief camps in the city to help people who have been inundated by the water which has entered the residential areas.

Reports of heavy rains affecting normal life in Hoshangabad, Balaghat, Mandla Jabalpur, Chhindwara, Seoni and Vidisha districts have also been received. The town of Seoni has been cut off with water flowing four feet above the Seoni -Chhindwara road. Important rivers of the state are flowing above normal. According to the met department, heavy rains are expected in Sagar, Rewa and Jabalpur divisions over the next 24 hours.

- anil