Thursday, September 15 2005 16:02 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Bhopal: Army was summoned for relief work in flood-hit Balaghat district of Madhya Pradesh today (Sept 15, 2005) as incessant rains inundated several villages in Seoni, Mandla,Chhindwara and Jabalpur prompting the administration to evacuate people from low-lying areas, official sources said.

While Met officials sounded a warning for heavy rainfall in next 24 hours in Jabalpur, Rewa, Hoshangabad, Indore, Bhopal and Ujjain divisions, connection to over 60 villages was cut-off in the Mahakaushal region, they said.

Though no loss of life was reported, normal life was paralyzed in the region as the heavy downpour caused over 1500 houses to collapse, sources added. Rains since last three days caused Son, Benganga and Bagha rivers to swell inundating over 25 villages in Kirnapur and Lanjhi areas of Balaghat district, Collector Akash Tripathi said.

Army has been summoned to help in relief others have been severely affected by the rains.

Police and home guard jawans have been pressed into action and relief activities were on in full swing, he said and added that help from the Army is expected soon.

Over 100 families have been shifted from low-lying areas to temporary camps constructed at community halls and schools in Mandla district, Collector Prabhat Parashar said.