Nine die as van swept away in swollen drain in MP’s Rajgarh

Bhopal: Nine people, including three children and two women, were killed when a van carrying 11 passengers was swept away by strong currents in a swollen drain in Madhya Pradesh’s Rajgarh district on Monday, police said.

Two passengers managed to swim to safety after the accident, which occurred around 9.30 a.m. near Padana on the Pachore-Sarangpur road.

The passengers, residents of Dhansad village in the Satwas area of neighbouring Dewas district, were travelling to Kadlavad when the accident occurred. The van was being driven through a culvert over the Jhiri drain, where water was flowing over the road following heavy rainfall in the area.

According to police, villagers and local administration personnel had warned the driver against crossing the waterlogged stretch. The driver nevertheless proceeded, following which the strong current swept the vehicle into the drain, and it sank within moments.

Upon receiving information, the State Disaster Emergency Response Force (SDERF) team also joined the operation, and the vehicle was subsequently pulled out with the help of a crane. Sarangpur Sub-Divisional Officer of Police Arvind Singh said heavy rainfall had caused rivers and drains in the area to overflow.

“The driver drove the van into the strong current of the drain near the Padana bypass. The vehicle was swept away and sank within a short time, resulting in the deaths of nine people,” Singh said.

A case has been registered at Sarangpur police station, and further investigation is underway, he said.

Police identified the deceased as Shankar Singh (50), his wife Sagarbai, Reenu (28), wife of Hukum Singh, their sons Rajveer (3) and Jaspreet, Vishal Chauhan, his wife Pooja (27), Rishika and Anand Singh.

The vehicle was registered in the name of Mukesh Singh, who was driving it. Mukesh Singh and Hukum Singh survived the accident and were admitted to a hospital, officials said.

A 30-foot bridge over the Jhiri drain is currently under construction at the accident site.

Officials said heavy rain had caused water to flow over the incomplete structure, making the crossing dangerous.

Chief Minister Mohan Yadav expressed grief over the deaths and announced financial assistance of Rs 4 lakh each to the families of the deceased. “The news of the deaths of passengers in the rain-related accident on the Pachore-Sarangpur road in Rajgarh district is deeply tragic. My condolences are with the affected families,” Yadav said.

He said instructions had been issued to provide financial assistance and that a search operation was underway for people reported missing following the accident.

The accident occurred amid heavy monsoon rainfall in Madhya Pradesh, with several rivers and drains in different parts of the state overflowing and water affecting low-lying roads and crossings.

IANS