Large areas in Kota flooded after release of dam water, thousands evacuated

Over 5,000 people were evacuated while many others remained stranded on rooftops on Sunday as large areas were flooded in the city due to discharge of 6.93 lakh cusecs of water from Kota barrage, officials said.

Schools have been closed and Army, NDRF, SDRF and teams from Kota municipal corporation engaged in rescue operations in areas along the river Chambal.

"Over 5,000 people have so far been shifted to shelter homes and safe places. However, people are still trapped in many areas and efforts are being made to evacuate them with the help of Army and rescue personnel," Kota district collector Muktanand Agrawal told reporters on Sunday evening.

No causality has been reported so far, he said.

The official said Kota was facing an unprecedented situation as it is the first time since the construction of Gandhi Sagar dam that a record 6.93 lakh cusecs of water was discharged from 19 gates of Kota Barrage in a day.

He said more water is likely to be discharged from Gandhi Sagar dam which is currently overflowing at 1,314 ft and needs to be brought down to 1,308 ft.

"The Army, administration, NDRF, SDRF and civil defence teams are on alert to meet any eventuality," he said