148 mm Rain Triggers Floods in MP’s Chitrakoot, IAF Joins Rescue Efforts

Two Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopters were deployed on Saturday evening to assist in the rescue of people stranded in Chitrakoot after torrential rains caused the Mandakini River to overflow, inundating several parts of the pilgrimage town on the Madhya Pradesh-Uttar Pradesh border.

Three State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams were also pressed into service to evacuate residents from affected areas and move them to safer locations. Officials said there had been no loss of life as of Saturday evening.

Satna Collector Satish Kumar S said the river’s catchment area received around 10 cm of rainfall within three hours, triggering the sudden rise in water levels. Another official said a dam breach in neighbouring Uttar Pradesh had further aggravated the flooding.

Boats were deployed on submerged roads to rescue stranded residents, while six relief shelters were prepared to accommodate people displaced by the flooding. Water from the surrounding hills was also reported to be flowing rapidly into the Mandakini.

According to the Meteorological Department, Majhgawan tehsil, where Chitrakoot is located, recorded more than 148 mm of rainfall between 8 am on Friday and 8.30 pm on Saturday. Neighbouring Birsinghpur tehsil recorded 122 mm in the 24 hours ending 8 am on Saturday.

India Meteorological Department meteorologist S N Sahu said Satna was likely to receive heavy rainfall until Sunday morning. Light to moderate rain was forecast for Sunday and Monday, followed by heavy rain on Tuesday and very heavy rain on Wednesday.

The water level in the Mandakini began receding on Saturday night after the rainfall paused, offering some relief to flood-hit areas. On Sunday, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav visited Chitrakoot and conducted an aerial survey of the affected areas, while also reviewing the ongoing rescue and relief operations.