17 dead, 50,000 people affected by floods in central India

At least 17 people have been killed while 50, 000 others have been affected due to heavy monsoon rains and floods in India\'s central state of Madhya Pradesh, the local government said on Friday. All the river bodies including major Narmada River are flowing above the danger mark due to which 50 villages are submerged under water affecting 50, 000 people, the government said. The government said the rainfall in the state is continuing from past one week, adding, places like Bhopal, Hoshangabad, Seoni, Narsinghpur and Jabalpur are inundated and waterlogged. Due to incessant rains the state has sounded alert to coup with emergency situation, government stated. Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Shivraj Singh Chohan took an aerial survey to take stock of situation of areas affected by the flood. The chief minister said 17 deaths have been reported so far due to heavy rains and flood. He said due to emergency situation the state government has called air force and army for relief and rescue operations in the state.