With the intensity of rains lessening on Sunday and the water-discharge from various dams in western Maharashtra is being reduced gradually, the scenario in the flood-affected districts of Pune, Kolhapur, Satara and Sangli has begun improving.
Even as Army had to be roped in for rescue operations in Satara and Sangli districts, the situation is under control in all the flood-affected districts, Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh said in Nasik.
Government authorities assured that rain is letting up and floods would be brought under control as water-discharge from various dams is being reduced gradually.
According to the estimate given by Deputy Chief Minister RR Patil in Pune, at least 3,500 families have been evacuated to safer places due to the heavy rains.
In Pimpri Chinchwad area, close to Pune, 175 families were evacuated, while in Pune city itself, 295 families were shifted to safer places.
In Satara, 2,500 people were shifted by the district administration. District collector Subbarao Patil said that if the rains let up, people can return to their homes by Monday afternoon.
Sangli was the worst hit by rains, as in Sangli, Valva and Palush talukas, some 15,000 people had to be evacuated. Army troops were engaged in intensive rescue operations in low-lying areas of the district.
{{/usCountry}}Sangli was the worst hit by rains, as in Sangli, Valva and Palush talukas, some 15,000 people had to be evacuated. Army troops were engaged in intensive rescue operations in low-lying areas of the district.
{{/usCountry}}Meanwhile, a three-year-old girl was drowned when the army boat which was ferrying flood-affected people across Krishna river capsized in Valva taluka.
Deputy Chief Minister RR Patil held a meeting of top officials from the four flood-affected districts on Sunday afternoon in Pune.
Patil assured that adequate compensations would be given to the flood-affected people.
"A survey would be undertaken to assess the damage," he said. "People should not get panicky, government had taken steps to tackle any situation," Patil told mediapersons.
The meeting was attended by water resources minister Ajit Pawar, Chief Secretary DK Shankaran, Divisional Commissioner Prabhakar Karandikar, among others.