Bundi, Rajasthan:
The Kota district administration has sounded an alert in about 20 villages surrounding Abhayapura dam after water gushed out through a breach from the reservoir following heavy rains in the past couple of days.
The authorities have started evacuating residents of the villages near the dam, officials said, adding that reports of one person being washed away and seven others being stranded have reached the district headquarters.
A farmer was reported to have been swept away last night in Gandoli police station area. Gandoli SHO Manoj Soni said the farmer was swept away by the heavy current of water over Bherupura bridge last night.
Despite search operations through out the day today, the farmer could not be traced so far, he added.
Meanwhile, seven persons - five women and two men - were in a field at Gwar village in Namana police station area while they were caught unaware of the rise in water level. Namana SHO Jitendra Dev said a rescue team was on its way and the stranded people would be rescued soon.
Irrigation Department Executive Engineer OP Kankar said heavy inflow of water from the nearby Bheemlat dam has caused about a half-a-metre hole in Abhayapura dam. Efforts were on to repair the hole, Mr Kankar said.
Sub-Division Magistrate Jitendra Naruka said the residents of 20 villages including Megarawat ki Jhopidaya, Sinta, Gopalpura, Undela, Mohanpura near the dam were being evacuated.