New Delhi: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Sunday issued an orange alert predicting very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in eight districts of central Madhya Pradesh, news agency PTI reported. As per the report, in the wake of some major rivers flowing in spate due to intermittent rainfall over last couple of days, the authorities have also opened the gates of some vital dams. According to the IMD forecast, very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall, ranging from 115.6 mm or above, is expected at isolated places in Bhopal, Raisen, Rajgarh, Sehore, Vidisha, Guna, Agar Malwa and Shajapur districts.
Also, a yellow alert has been issued predicting heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places in 10 districts, and Shahdol and Narmadapuram divisions.
The IMD has also issued a yellow alert warning of thunderstorms with lightning at isolated places of seven divisions – Bhopal, Jabalpur, Narmadapuram, Gwalior, Chambal, Rewa and Sagar, till Monday.
Notably, Narmada river, apart from Parvati, Betwa and some other water bodies were in spate but flowing below the danger level, said Kamlesh Raikwar, an executive engineer of the state water resources department.
Meanwhile, the gates of 14 out of 52 reservoirs have been opened to release water, he added.
As per the PTI report, at least 12 gates of Indira Sagar, 18 of Omkareshwar, eight of Rajghat and nine of Tawa dam, have been opened.
According to Ved Prakash Singh, senior meteorologist at the IMD’ Bhopal Centre, a low pressure over southwest Rajasthan has been drawing moisture from the Arabian Sea to western Madhya Pradesh causing the rainfall.
Also, a cyclonic circulation over south-east Madhya Pradesh was drawing moisture from Bay of Bengal to eastern parts of the state.
In the last 24 hours, Narmadapuram, Narsinghpur, hill station Pachmarhi, Nowgaon in Chhatarpur and Bhopal have received 60.0 mm, 64.0 mm, 51.0 mm, 47.4 mm and 46.3 mm rainfall respectively, IMD said.