Rain god smiles on drought-hit northern MP

Bhopal, Jun 19 (UNI) The Southwest Monsoon has broken in right earnest much ahead of schedule over northern Madhya Pradesh that was reeling under drought conditions for the past few years.

Isolated medium to heavy rain has been recorded in the rest of the state.

''Precipitation is likely over the entire state with heavy rain over northern, eastern and western parts in the next 48 hours -- Jabalpur, Gwalior, Chambal and Ujjain divisions. Upper air cyclonic circulation exists over northern Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh,'' said a Regional Meteorological Centre official.

The Monsoon became active over the northern part three days back though it usually breaks over this part in the last week of June.

Tikamgarh, Naugaon and Khajuraho -- which had experienced extreme winter and summer -- are witnessing heavy rain.

Precipitation figures were Tikamgarh 25 cm, Naugaon 21, Khajuraho 13, Datia, Sagar 9 cm, Damoh 7 sm, Guna 6 cm and Sheopur Kalan more than 14 cm. Daily life was affected in Shivpuri district where the Gujari river is in spate at Kolaras and demolished seven 'kachha' houses.

Sagar, Gwalior, Jabalpur, Rewa, Hoshangabad and Bhopal divisions received overnight rain. The state capital was experiencing a drizzle since morning.

A tertiary reservoir of the Manikheda dam attained full-tank level, sluice gates were opened and seven surrounding villages' residents asked to exercise caution.

UNI SHD-AC SLD KN2022