Rescue operations are continuing and several trains – including 25 from the financial hub of Mumbai – have been diverted or suspended.
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The trains were crossing a partially flooded bridge near Harda when they derailed within minutes of each other.
Several NDRF teams have been rushed to the site of the derailment to carry out relief and rescue operations.
President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have condoled the loss of lives due to the derailments of the two trains.
Ten compartments from the trains, which had 23 and 24 compartments respectively, derailed. Heavy rain had reportedly caused river levels to rise, submerging the tracks, and flooding the train cars, the official said.
Six coaches from the Kamayani Express and the engine and four coaches from the Janata Express derailed just before midnight.
“Rail Admn & MP govt working together to rescue passengers of Kamyani express accident”.
Update as of 1:28 a.m. EDT: At least 31 people are dead after two trains in India’s central state of Madhya Pradesh derailed Wednesday, Hindustan Times, a national newspaper reported.
“Water filled the coach till here”, the man, pointing to his waist, told a local TV station. “Most of the coaches had passed but the last few carriages were derailed”, Saxena told the network of the first train. That train also encountered a flash flood situation.
People in between two derailed carriages at the scene in Madhya Pradesh.
Train travel is the most popular form of long-distance travel in India but the railway system is known to be poorly maintained.
Kumar, former Railway Minister, said in a statement that officials of the state have been directed to provide all possible help to the passengers.
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“Some bogies have fallen into the Machak river”, Harda Collector Rajnish Shrivastava said about the Kamayani Express accident although he declined to comment on the casualties.
