**Rajasthan Floods: Torrential Rain Causes Widespread Disruption**
Heavy rainfall has inundated significant portions of Rajasthan, leading to severe disruptions in daily life, damaging infrastructure, and isolating numerous areas. Tragically, two women have lost their lives due to rain-related incidents, while hundreds have been relocated to safer locations as forecasts predict continued rainfall, particularly in the eastern regions of the state.
A flood-like scenario has developed across eight districts, with Kota, Sawai Madhopur, Tonk, and Bundi being the most severely impacted. The weather department reported that Bundi’s Nainwa recorded an astonishing 502 mm of rainfall in just 24 hours on Saturday.
In response to the escalating crisis, the Army has been deployed alongside the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) to conduct rescue and relief operations. The Air Force is on standby, with a Mi-17 helicopter already in the air to provide assistance.
Conditions in Sawai Madhopur and Bundi are particularly dire. A 50-year-old woman was swept away by floodwaters in Bundi, while a 65-year-old woman died when a tin shed collapsed on her at a farm. Reports indicate that over 30 villages in Sawai Madhopur are submerged and cut off from the main city, affecting more than 100,000 residents due to relentless rainfall and the overflow of the Surwal dam.
Transportation has been severely disrupted, with highways connecting Rajasthan to Madhya Pradesh submerged, and roads linking Kota to Jaipur and other areas also underwater. The Army is actively involved in rescue efforts, working alongside NDRF and SDRF teams to evacuate stranded villagers to safety. Similar operations are ongoing in Bundi, where the administration has requested Army support in the hardest-hit areas, including Nainwa, Kapren, and Keshoraipatan.
In a recent incident, a tractor carrying rescue personnel and villagers overturned into a pit, resulting in minor injuries to an SDRF team member. The Meteorological Department has issued a yellow alert for today, warning of additional heavy rainfall in the affected districts, which could worsen the situation. Authorities are urging residents to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions.
Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma has reviewed the ongoing relief and rescue operations, instructing officials to conduct a special survey to assess damage to crops and property. Lok Sabha Speaker and Kota-Bundi MP Om Birla has also visited flood-affected areas, directing efforts for the rehabilitation of those impacted.
**FAQ**
**What measures are being taken to assist flood victims in Rajasthan?**
Authorities have deployed the Army, NDRF, and SDRF for rescue operations, while ongoing assessments are being conducted to evaluate damage and provide necessary support to affected residents.