Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that the incessant rainfall in large area of Madhya Pradesh in the last three days has created a flood situation in major part of the State.

Dewas, Harda, Sehore, Hoshangabad, Raisen, Vidisha, Balaghat, Seoni, Chhindwara, Khandwa besides other districts have been affected the most by the flooding. Several villages are surrounded by the flood water.

The first floor of houses is submerged under water. Farms are also submerged under water. Only top portion of trees is visible. The effect of flood can be seen in 10 k.m. radius on both the sides of Narmada river.

Because of the backflow of water of tributaries rivers of Narmada river, the areas in the vicinity are submerged under water. Twenty four hours rescue and relief works are being conducted at war footing by the Government.

We will safely evacuate every individual stranded in flood and provide every possible help to the flood victims. Flood is a challenge for us and service to suffering humanity is our religion. We will succeed on both the fronts, he added.

Chouhan has said that at present the level of water is descending because of the decline in intensity of rains, but there is always a possibility of seasonal diseases in such condition. Hence all the departments concerned should work with alertness and diligence continuously to provide all necessary help to the affected people.

There should be no laxity and negligence in this work, he added. Chouhan issued instructions to the senior officers of Revenue, Public Health Engineering, Public Health and Family Welfare, Panchayat and Rural Development, Urban Administration and Development, Rural Engineering Service departments etc.

Commissioner Public Relations Sudam Khade made presentation on flood situation as well as rescue and relief works.

Chouhan has informed that about 11 thousand people of 454 flood affected villages of the state have been evacuated safely. Arrangement for food, medicines, pure drinking water etc. has been made at 170 relief camps being operational in the State.

The Chief Minister said that 267 people have been airlifted from various places of the state by the helicopter of Air Force.

Along with the Air Force, Army, NDRF, SGRF, Police, Home Guard and the entire team of revenue is constantly working in rescue works. Along with them, social organizations, institutions and daring youths are rendering their services.

Chouhan said that he himself, Chief Secretary, DGP and others are constantly monitoring the flood situation. Today, they observed the flood situation by conducting aerial survey of 6 districts of the State.

They kept on seeking information on flood situation from the entire state whole night yesterday.  They had also received direct calls from many villages. Rescue work was conducted whole night. Five people were evacuated from Narela village at 2.30 a.m. The Commissioner Bhopal and I.G. reached Somalvada village located at a distance of 2 k.m. by boat and rescued people. 

The Chief Minister directed that state level call centre 1079 and dial-100 should work round the clock along with control rooms set up in all districts for flood relief and resolve problems immediately.

Whatever help is needed from Bhopal level will be provided immediately. Resources of those areas which are not affected by floods, should be used in flood affected areas.

Chouhan said that dirty water has contaminated drinking water sources, ponds, wells etc. due to floods. In such a situation, providing clean drinking water is a top priority.

Water in hand pumps is relatively pure, so it should be utilized more.

Medicines like chlorine etc. should be used to purify drinking water. The awareness is necessary so that people do not drink dirty water. Apart from this, water can be purified by filtering and boiling.

Chouhan directed that all essential medicines should be available with all rural depot holders including cities.

Health staff should be especially vigilant and make all arrangements for prevention of diseases like dengue, malaria, cholera etc. Necessary sprinkling of medicines must be ensured.