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9 of family killed in Madhya Pradesh's Rajgarh as flooded drain sweeps van away
Chief minister Mohan Yadav announced a compensation of ₹4 lakh to the families of each of the deceased.
Nine members of a family, including four children, were killed after the vehicle they were travelling in was swept away while crossing a flooded drain in Madhya Pradesh’s Rajgarh district on Monday, police said, adding that two of the passengers were rescued by local residents.
Chief minister Mohan Yadav announced a compensation of ₹4 lakh to the families of each of the deceased.
“...My condolences go out to the bereaved families. Instructions have been issued to provide financial assistance,” the CM said.
According to police, the incident took place in Padana town around 9 am when the Eco van was travelling from Dewas to Kadnavad village in Sarangpur tehsil for a religious visit. The victims include four women, a man and four children, all residents of Satwas village in Dewas, while the two rescued men were admitted to Sarangpur hospital.
“As the vehicle reached the Padana bypass, water from the swollen Jhiri drain had spilled over the road. Despite repeated warnings from locals, the driver tried to cross. The strong current swept the van into the drain,” said Arvind Singh, sub-divisional officer of police (SDOP).
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Rescue teams from police, administration, and SDRF, along with villagers, launched operations using ropes and cranes.
A witness, Mahendra Parmar said, “The water level was so high that the driver could not distinguish between the road and the drain. We urged him to wait until the water receded, but he ignored the warnings.”
Sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) Rohit Bamhore said, “A total of 11 people were involved; two of them were rescued. The bodies of nine people have been recovered; among the deceased...Two people were rescued by residents.” “Heavy rains had submerged the road, but despite warnings, the driver drove ahead, leading to the tragedy,” he added.
Meanwhile, high alert has been issued in 21 districts of MP. In Bhopal, water has inundated railway tracks, temples, police stations, and homes. Many roads in Sehore and Shajapur are closed due to flooding, and a bridge was washed away in Raisen.
Bhopal recorded the highest rainfall of 7 inches in the last 24 hours. In Vidisha, 17 people, including children, were rescued after getting stranded in floodwaters. Temples in Sehore’s Sevaniya village have been submerged due to heavy rains. Meanwhile, water is flowing over a bridge, disrupting transportation.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the state has received 17.8 inches (453 mm) of rainfall so far.
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