- विज्ञापन -
Shahdol: Three women lost their lives, and 15 others, including children, were injured in a road accident near Jora village in Madhya Pradesh’s Shahdol district amid heavy rainfall on Monday. The accident involved a speeding multi-utility vehicle that collided with a tree, according to police reports. Four of the injured are in critical condition and have been admitted to Shahdol Medical College.
Authorities said the mishap happened around 4:45 a.m. in the Beohari police station area during a heavy downpour. The travelers were returning to Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, after a pilgrimage to the Ram temple in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh. The vehicle, with registration number CG10-BP-8657, was carrying 20 passengers—mostly women and children from the same extended family. The impact was so devastating that three women—Gayatri Kavar (55), Malti Patel (50), and Indira Bai—died instantly. The other four critically injured individuals were first taken to Beohari Hospital before being transferred to Shahdol Medical College for further treatment.
Shahdol police station in-charge Arun Pandey confirmed that the accident occurred on a road soaked with overnight rain, likely causing poor visibility and slippery conditions. Meteorological data indicated a 57% chance of rain on that day, with over 1.7 cm of rainfall and humidity reaching 96%, leading authorities to issue a heavy rain alert that remained in effect all day.
Local residents were among the first responders, warning authorities and assisting with rescue operations. Shortly after, police teams arrived and moved the injured to safety. Initial investigations suggest that high speed and possible driver fatigue or slippery road conditions might have caused the driver to lose control. Mechanical failure has not been ruled out, and the vehicle is currently being examined for clues.
Meanwhile, continuous rains over the past two days have severely impacted life in Shahdol. Floodwaters have submerged three wards of Kushabhau Thackeray District Hospital, including the surgical unit, prompting the evacuation of patients. Shahdol District Hospital’s Civil Surgeon, Shilpi Saraf, reported that both male and female surgical wards were waterlogged, forcing patients to be shifted elsewhere. Additionally, the medical college was cut off for several hours due to an overflowing drain, trapping patients and staff.
Furthermore, platforms one and two at Shahdol railway station were submerged, halting train operations for four hours and causing delays to five trains.
