BHOPAL, Aug 22: At least 75 people were missing after a dam burst under the pressure of heavy monsoon rains in central India, a police official said on Thursday.

The 125-year-old dam in Balaghat district in the state of Madhya Pradesh collapsed on Wednesday after it developed cracks following several days of heavy rains.

Officials said on Wednesday that at least 25 people had been washed away.

“The number of people missing in the villages affected by Wednesday’s dam burst is now reported to be over 75 and another 25 people are feared dead,” police superintendent Zaidi Prasad said.

Prasad said continuing rains had hampered relief and rescue operations in many submerged villages.

“It is difficult to assess the total loss of property at this moment as several areas are still submerged. Power supply is totally disrupted,” Prasad said.

Indian Air Force helicopters have been pressed into service to evacuate flood victims and assist local administration in relief and rescue operations.

Nearly 1,000 people have died in eastern India, Nepal and Bangladesh since the middle of July after heavy monsoon rains triggered widespread flooding, landslides and disease.—Reuters