BHOPAL: Rain fury continues to wreak havoc in Madhya Pradesh. The destructive rain which has assumed killer proportions over the last few weeks has claimed over 200 human lives so far during the ongoing monsoon season in the Central Indian state.

According to state government figures, at least 202 people have died due to killer rain, floods and associated mishaps across the state, particularly in the western and south-western parts of the state during the present monsoon. Around 32 persons have suffered major injuries in the destructive rain and related mishaps, while the monsoon has also turned out killer for 631 animals, including cattle.

The rain-related mishaps have also ravaged residential properties in the state, partially damaging 9816 houses and also triggered the total collapse of 231 houses.

Ongoing rescue operations by local authorities, besides the NDRF and SDRF teams, however, have managed to save the lives of over 8500 people, who have been shifted to temporary relief camps and shelters.

According to the figures collected from across the 52 districts of the state by the revenue department, crops on an estimated 6 lakh to 8 lakh hectare land has been affected by the rain and flood, but the actual loss of the crops can only be ascertained after the reports of ongoing crop damage assessment survey are submitted by various districts to the state government, sources in the state revenue department told The New Indian Express.

Based on the damage assessment through the report, the crop damage will be compensated.

Meanwhile, the state government has sanctioned Rs 6000 crore for flood and rain relief hit people and if the need arises more funds will be sanctioned. Out of this around Rs 50 crores has already been released among the affected people and work is underway to render financial assistance to more affected people.

The state government has released Rs 4 lakh each for the kin of each of the deceased, while based on the reports from various state government departments, a detailed proposal will be sent to the central government for compensation.

According to state’s revenue minister Govind Singh Rajput, “above normal rain has been reported in 30 districts, while 19 districts have recorded normal rainfall and just three-four districts have reported below normal rainfall.”

With most of the rivers being in spate, gates of 21 out of the 28 dams in the state have been opened to release excess water, which is causing a flood or flood-like situation in various districts of west, south-west, central and Mahakoshal regions.

Fresh red and orange alert for 33 districts

As per state Met department report released on Thursday, Hoshangabad district of Central MP recorded maximum 16 cm rain over the last 24 hours. On Thursday, Sagar district of Bundelkhand region recorded maximum 6.5 cm rain, followed by Raisen (4.9 cm), Mandla (4.8 cm), Guna (4.5 cm) and the state capital Bhopal recorded 3 cm rain since morning to evening. Since June 1, 2019 to September 12, 2019, the entire state has recorded 28% above normal rain. Over 1100 mm rain has been recorded around the state against the normal rainfall of 861 mm.

On Thursday, the Met Department issued fresh red and orange alerts of very heavy/heavy rains for the next 24 hours. While red alert for very heavy rain has been issued for 14 districts of west, south-west, central MP regions, including Indore, Hoshangabad, Sagar, Vidisha and Dewas districts, an orange alert for heavy rains has been issued for 19 districts, including Bhopal, Jabalpur and Rewa districts over the next 24 hours.