'Chota Niagara Falls' emerges in Rajasthan as dam burst creates 2-km crater

A catastrophic deluge in Rajasthan’s Sawai Madhopur district has left behind a scene of devastation, as relentless rainfall caused the Surwal Dam to overflow, swallowing vast swathes of land and creating a gaping two-kilometre-wide crater on Sunday.

The collapse of land near Surwal village not only tore the ground apart but also severed vital access routes, leaving communities stranded. Entire settlements, including Surwal, Dhanoli, Gogor, Jadavata, Shesha, and Machhipura, are now submerged, with hundreds of homes underwater. Families have been forced onto rooftops, clinging to what little shelter remains, while food and clean drinking water grow scarcer by the hour.

Highways Underwater, Relief Hampered

The scale of flooding has brought daily life to a halt. The Lalsot-Kota Mega Highway has been swallowed by floodwaters, with only tractors and trolleys able to navigate the submerged roadway. Rescue and relief efforts are being severely hindered by washed-out infrastructure, blocked routes and dangerously high water levels.

Neighbouring Tonk district has not been spared either. Kalipaltan, Chatra Khatik, Kafila Bazar, Panch Batti, Dhannatlai, and Kachahari Road have all reported crippling waterlogging and widespread infrastructural damage.

Ministers Assess the Damage

Rajasthan minister Kirodi Lal Meena, after inspecting the disaster-hit sites, admitted the scale of destruction was unprecedented:

“There has never been rainfall of this extent in Sawai Madhopur. The Surwal Dam overflowed and dozens of villages have been submerged. Temples, houses and shops have been washed away. Those who have suffered losses will be compensated according to government criteria.”

Member of Parliament Harish Chandra Meena also toured the affected zones, directing officials to prioritise drainage work and relief operations.

Wider Impact Across Rajasthan

In Dausa district, 24 hours of non-stop rainfall turned roads into raging rivers. Entire colonies were submerged, government offices flooded, and the Jaipur Road service lane completely cut off, isolating half a dozen residential areas.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued warnings of continued heavy rainfall in the coming days, urging residents to remain on high alert.

Meanwhile, in Jaipur, a portion of the Rambagh wall near the Jwala Mata Temple, along a route leading to the historic Amer Fort, collapsed under the downpour. As a precautionary measure, authorities have suspended the popular elephant rides at the fort.

Inputs from TOI