Mumbai: Mumbai and several other regions of Maharashtra reeled under the impact of relentless rains on Monday, with widespread disruption across Mumbai, Thane, Palghar and parts of the Konkan and western Maharashtra. The torrential downpour, which followed the earliest monsoon arrival in the state in over three decades, led to submerged roads, railway tracks and bridges, forcing the evacuation of hundreds of families to safer locations.
5 Lives Lost, 1 Person Reported Missing
The incessant rains claimed five lives, including four deaths due to lightning strikes, one due to drowning, and one person reported missing after being swept away by floodwaters. In Karjat, Raigad, 30-year-old farmer Roshan Kalekar died after being struck by lightning while working in his field. In Latur's Ahmedpur tehsil, two more farmers, Vikram Karale and Ranjanabai Samudhay, were similarly killed, while six others sustained burn injuries in separate incidents.
A 16-year-old boy, Yash Late, died in Kalyan after lightning struck during a thunderstorm. In another tragic incident, four calves were killed when lightning hit a cowshed in the same region. Meanwhile, 30-year-old Avinash Bhoir drowned while swimming in the Chikhloli dam near Ambernath. In Ratnagiri’s Dapoli tehsil, 48-year-old Rajendra Kolambe was swept away while attempting to cross a bridge on his bicycle, reported Hindustan Times citing official data.
Flooding In Several Regions
Flooding caused major damage in low-lying areas across Ratnagiri, Raigad, Solapur, Pune, and Satara. Rivers like Ulhas near Badlapur and Jagbudi in Ratnagiri breached warning and danger levels, respectively, leading to the submergence of villages, temples and farmland. In Nashik’s Sinnar tehsil, onion farmers suffered major losses due to intense rainfall.
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has deployed 10 teams across the coastal and western districts, with three stationed permanently in Mumbai and one in Palghar. Additional deployments have been made in Solapur, Sangli, and Satara. Rescue operations successfully saved 48 people from floodwaters in Pune, Solapur and Satara, while five others were rescued from the popular Pandav Kada waterfall near Kharghar.
CM Fadnavis Takes Stock Of Situation
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis reviewed the evolving situation with Chief Secretary Sujata Saunik and ordered round-the-clock alertness for rescue and relief operations. Deputy CM Eknath Shinde and Disaster Management Minister Girish Mahajan visited the state control room, urging all agencies to coordinate swiftly to minimise damage and ensure citizen safety as monsoon intensifies.
