18 dead as heavy rains lash Maharashtra

The heavy rains have resulted in 18 deaths and the National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) has been deployed in districts like Nashik and Kolhapur

Incessant rains lashed Maharashtra over the past few days, including drought-hit districts. The heavy rains have resulted in 18 deaths and the National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) has been deployed in districts like Nashik and Kolhapur. The state government is preparing to announce financial assistance to families affected by the floods.

A flooded locality at Chiplun (HT)

Over the past few days, many districts have received much more than the average rainfall. Suhas Diwase, director, state disaster management cell confirmed that the rain in Nashik, Kolhapur, Ratnagiri, Nandurbar, Chandrapur, Gadchiroli and Akola districts have exceeded the average rainfall.

“In Nashik and Kolhapur, there was a flood-like situation. However, now the situation is under control as the intensity of rains have reduced to normal in the districts,” Diwase told HT.

So far, 18 people have died in the floods in the state, he confirmed.

The submerged old bridge over Panchganga River after heavy rains at Ichalkaranji in Kolhapur. (PTI)

In the past few days, Nashik received 90mm rainfall and Godavari river was flowing above the danger mark. Consequently, an NDRF team comprising 40 people was deployed.

“We have shifted 800 people to safe places. NDRF teams have completed two operations in Nashik and are now deployed at Chikhli village in Kolhapur after floods,” said relief and rehabilitation minister Chandrakant Patil. District collectors have been directed to start on-spot panchnamas as the state government is ready to compensate them for the losses, he added.

According to the data compiled by rain recording and analysis cell of the state agriculture department, rainfall received by all the regions is above the average in this month.

In pics: Heavy rains lash Maharashtra

The rains have brought relief to the parched areas of the Marathwada region as well along with heavy rains in Aurangabad, Jalna, Nanded, Parbhani and Hingoli. Aurangabad district has received double the average rainfall for this month while Jalna recorded 193.3% of the average rainfall so far.

Consequently, districts like Nanded, Hingoli and Aurangabad are considering to stop the tankers deployed to supply drinking water in the districts, said an officer from relief and rehabilitation department.

Chiplun

Umakant Dangat, Aurangabad divisional commissioner confirmed that water tankers in Nanded and Parbhani district will be stopped in the coming days. “Most of the districts in the division are receiving very good rainfall resulting in a constant rise in water table. We have already started reducing water tankers and soon Nanded and Hingoli will stop using water tankers,” Dangat told HT.

However, we are still waiting for good rains in districts like Beed, Osmanabad and Latur and will continue to use the water tanker facility for drinking-water purposes, he added.