BHUBANESWAR / AGAR MALWA /
September 19, 2026

*Tragedy Near Nalkheda After Heavy Rain: Vehicle Tried To Cross Rain-Swollen Nallah, 3 Children And 2 Women Among Dead; All Had Come From Ujjain*

*AGAR MALWA, MP:* In a heart-wrenching tragedy, a pilgrimage turned into a final journey for eight devotees from Odisha who were washed away along with their car in a rain-swollen drain in Madhya Pradesh.

The accident occurred early Saturday near the famous *Maa Baglamukhi Temple at Nalkheda*, about 30 km from Agar Malwa district headquarters, police said.

How The Tragedy Happened

According to Agar Malwa SP Dilip Kumar Soni, the victims were residents of Odisha and had travelled from Ujjain to Nalkheda to visit the Baglamukhi Temple. They had hired a Maruti Suzuki S-Presso (MP 13 AF 7135).

The car attempted to cross a seasonal nallah/drain just in front of the temple. The area had received *3.7 inches of rainfall in the last 24 hours*, causing the drain to overflow with a strong current.

> "Preliminary findings suggest that the driver tried to cross the stream in haste. The vehicle was swept away by the force of the water," SP Soni said.

The sudden rise in water level turned a routine temple visit into a major tragedy.

7 Family Members + 1 Driver Dead

Police confirmed eight deaths — *three children, two women and three men*, including the taxi driver. They were found trapped inside the submerged vehicle.

Following the incident, administrative officials, Nalkheda police and rescue teams rushed to the spot. The car was located and pulled out, but all occupants were declared dead.

The identities of the Odia devotees are being ascertained and their families are being informed. Bodies have been sent for post-mortem and legal formalities are underway.

Locals staged a protest after the incident, demanding construction of a proper bridge over the drain to prevent such tragedies, especially during monsoon and festive pilgrim rush.

*Condolence Message:* The Odisha government is in touch with MP administration for identification and assistance in bringing mortal remains back to Odisha.