Heavy rains lead to significant loss of life and displacement in Maharashtra’s districts over two days.
Recent heavy rainfall in Maharashtra has resulted in the deaths of at least ten individuals due to rain-related incidents over a span of two days. The fatalities occurred across several districts, with four reported in Nashik, two each in Dharashiv and Ahilyanagar, and one each in Jalna and Yavatmal, as indicated by the state disaster management department.
In the past two days, various regions in Marathwada and western Maharashtra experienced significant rainfall. For instance, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar recorded 110.3 mm of rain, while Ahilyanagar and Nashik experienced 81.8 mm and 76.6 mm, respectively, according to reports from the Hindustan Times.
In response to the adverse weather conditions, authorities have taken proactive measures by relocating over 11,000 individuals to safer areas, with 7,200 of those being from the Marathwada region. The urgency of these evacuations underscores the severity of the situation as communities grapple with the consequences of the rainfall.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has been actively monitoring the relief and rescue operations within the Marathwada region, as well as in Solapur district. He has instructed district collectors to ensure that food, shelter, and essential supplies are provided to those affected by the rainfall.
In addition to the efforts in Marathwada, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has been overseeing the situation in the Thane and Palghar districts. He noted that the administration is on high alert, highlighting that the gates of the Bhatsa Dam, located near Shahapur in Thane district, have been opened in anticipation of increased water flow due to the rains.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had previously issued an orange alert for Mumbai, advising authorities to be prepared for heavy rainfall. This alert was later downgraded to a yellow alert, indicating that while the situation is still serious, the immediate risk has somewhat decreased. The IMD reported that Mumbai has experienced its wettest September in four years, accumulating 606.1 mm of rainfall thus far this month. This figure positions September 2023 as the second wettest month for the city since 2021, when it recorded 744.2 mm of rainfall.
As the rains continue, the focus remains on managing the immediate needs of those displaced and ensuring public safety. The impact of these weather events serves as a reminder of the challenges posed by seasonal monsoons in the region, as communities work to navigate through the aftermath of these incidents.
