There was some relief for residents in flood-affected areas of Rajasthan as the water level in the swollen Chambal River began to recede on Friday, particularly in the worst-hit districts of Dholpur, Karauli, and Sawai Madhopur.
Photo: IANS
There was some relief for residents in flood-affected areas of Rajasthan as the water level in the swollen Chambal River began to recede on Friday, particularly in the worst-hit districts of Dholpur, Karauli, and Sawai Madhopur.
According to reports reaching the state headquarters, the Chambal River’s water level fell by four meters overnight, providing much-needed respite to residents of nearly 60 villages in Dholpur district.
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However, the overall flood situation remained critical, with rescue and relief operations by the Army, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and Civil Defence ongoing in several villages and low-lying areas including Sarmathura, Rajakheda, Saipau, Sahrola, Kainthari, Jhilara, and Rajora.
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Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma is personally monitoring the rescue and relief operations. Minister of State for Home Jawahar Singh Bedham is also touring the affected regions.
Despite the receding Chambal, the overflowing Parvati River continues to pose challenges for rescue teams and relief workers.
In Sawai Madhopur, conditions have slightly improved with a lull in rainfall. Water has started to recede from inundated areas; however, discharge from the Soorwal Dam is still causing problems in the downstream Bauli subdivision.
The Chambal River’s current level has come down to 194 meters—three meters below the danger mark of 197 meters.
Similar reports of marginal improvement were received from Karauli, Tonk, Jaipur, and several other districts.
Nevertheless, heavy rainfall across Rajasthan over the past week has severely disrupted normal life in many regions. Schools in 11 districts remain closed, with several announcing closures until August 3.
According to the Meteorological Department, Rajasthan received cumulative rainfall of 285 mm in July—the highest for the month in the past seven decades. The previous record was 308 mm in July 1956.
The department has also issued an alert for another spell of heavy rain in Bharatpur and Jaipur divisions starting August 3.
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