Heavy rains affect normal life in MP, three die

Bhopal, Aug 31 (UNI) Normal life was affected by heavy overnight rains which lashed Madhya Pradesh inundating several low-lying areas. Three people died in rain-related incidents taking the death toll to 129 this season.

Traffic on many roads was thrown out of gear with major rivers and rivulets being in spate.

After a gap of fortnight, intermittent downpours lashed the state capital since last night inundating low-lying areas, while all the gates of Bhadbada dam, 12 gates of Kaliasot dam and eight gates of Kolar dam were opened and neighbouring districts alerted.

Mumbai-Bhopal Indian Airlines flight was cancelled as water entered in the runway at the Raja Bhoj airport.

Earlier this month, heavy rains in Bhopal had inundated several low-lying areas and claimed 22 lives in rain-related incidents. As it rained 90 cm in one night, a 33-year-old record was broken with 77 cm in 1973 being the previous record.

Meteorological department director D P Dubey said rainfall will occur in the state in next 24 hours courtesy a low-pressure area, which has developed near Sagar district and was moving towards Ujjain district. Heavy rains will lash some parts.

A girl died and six people were injured when a tree fell due to heavy rains in Seoni district, while a 60-year-old man died when roof fell over him at Bhind district's Masuri village.

A youth was missing after he was swept away in swirling waters of swollen Gaudh river in Chhindwara district.

National Highway 59 and 69 were closed as rivers and rivulets in Betul district were in spate. The district's link to Itaris, Indore, multai, Nagpur and Sarni were snapped.

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