Torrential rains have caused widespread flooding in parts of Rajasthan, killing at least two women and prompting authorities to evacuate hundreds of residents to safer areas.
Low-lying regions in eastern and southern Rajasthan, including Kota, Bundi, Sawai Madhopur, Tonk, Karauli, and Jaipur, were inundated, disrupting road and rail connectivity. Several villages remain cut off due to waterlogging, said officials.
A Mi-17 helicopter has been positioned at Kota airfield to provide aid to flood-affected areas, with the Indian Air Force on standby for additional sorties, sources said Sunday, reports PTI. Relief operations have been carried out by the Indian Army and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), while the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) evacuated residents from other affected areas.
In Bundi, a 50-year-old woman, Kailshibai, was swept away by floodwaters, while a 65-year-old woman, Manbharbai, died after a tin shed collapsed on her farm. Nearly 500 people were rescued in Bundi’s Nainwa and Keshoraipatan blocks and moved to relief camps.
Lok Sabha Speaker and Kota-Bundi MP Om Birla visited flood-hit areas in Bundi and directed authorities to prioritise rehabilitation. Disaster Relief Minister Kirodi Meena and Home Minister Jawahar Singh Bedham conducted aerial surveys and interacted with locals to ensure relief measures were in place.
The Met Department reported 502 mm of rainfall in Bundi’s Nainwa over the past 24 hours and forecast continued heavy to very heavy rains in southern and southeastern districts through Tuesday.
Authorities opened six gates of Bisalpur Dam and two gates of the Kota Barrage to release excess water. Traffic on the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway and Jaipur-Kota highway was disrupted, while the Chambal River in Dholpur district rose two meters above the danger mark.