18 dead as heavy rain lashes state

MUMBAI: Incessant rain in parts of Maharashtra, including drough-thit districts, has resulted in 18 deaths over the past few days. The state government has deployed

MUMBAI: Incessant rain in parts of Maharashtra, including drough-thit districts, has resulted in 18 deaths over the past few days. The state government has deployed the National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) personnel in districts like Nashik and Kolhapur. It also plans to announce financial assistance to the families affected by the floods.

HT Image

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. “So far, 18 people have died in the floods in the state,” he told HT.

In the past few days, Nashik received 90mm rainfall and Godavari river was flowing above the danger mark. Consequently, 40 NDRF personnel were 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,” 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.

Rains have brought relief to the parched areas of Marathwada and 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.

Umakant Dangat, Aurangabad divisional commissioner confirmed that water tankers in Nanded and Parbhani districts will be stopped. “However, we are still waiting for good rain in districts like Beed, Osmanabad and Latur and will continue to use the water tanker facility for drinkingwater purposes,” he added.