Eight dead, crop on 12-14 lakh hectares affected amid heavy rain: Fadnavis

Fadnavis said some areas in Mumbai received nearly 300 mm of rain, which is a record, resulting in waterlogging and delays in suburban local train networks. “The Mithi River was flowing at a dangerous level, and as a result, we rescued some people. But the water level is now coming down. However, we are on alert mode as heavy rainfall is expected as well as high tide by evening,” said Fadnavis.

The chief minister said the next two days will be crucial, and officials have been directed to be on alert in the coastal areas of the state.

He said the rain in Mumbai was “extraordinary”. “Also, we have been hearing a lot of stories about how cleaning of the Mithi River took place in the past. These factors, too, are involved,” said Fadnavis.

Earlier in the day, Deputy CMs Ajit Pawar and Eknath Shinde visited the disaster management room and the Mithi River sector, respectively, to take stock of the situation. Disaster Management Minister Girish Mahajan, Mumbai Suburban Joint Guardian Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha also visited the state and BMC control rooms to assess the situation.

According to the state’s disaster management control room, 18 teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and six teams of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) are on standby.

Meanwhile, the Jagbudi, Shastri, Kodvali rivers in Ratnagiri, Kundlika in Raigad and the Gad and Vaghitan rivers in Sindhudurg have crossed the danger mark.

As the heavy rain continued, low-lying areas in Mumbai were inundated, affecting the suburban train services, prompting the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to declare a holiday for all government and semi-government offices.

Authorities also closed schools and colleges amid the ‘red alert’ warning issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), which forecast extremely heavy showers at isolated places in Mumbai and neighbouring districts on Tuesday.

Central and Western Railways suspended local train services, and the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) diverted bus services at a few locations due to submerged roads.

Nanded inundated

Meanwhile, the Army, which has been deployed in the Nanded district for flood relief operations, said that nearly 80 percent area of Hasnaal village continues to remain inundated and out of five persons reported to be missing, four bodies have been recovered. One person is still untraceable, but the search operation is going on.

The Army said that it has intensified the flood relief operation in the affected areas in close coordination with the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and civil administration. They have been relocating families to safer areas and also extend immediate humanitarian assistance. A medical camp has been established, and food distribution points have been set up to support the affected residents, said defence public relations officer.

The affected people including women and children are kept in the Army camp which was temporarily set up on Monday evening once an Army column (nearly 70 personnel) reached there. The Army was carrying everything from drinking water to food. They are being served breakfast to dinner, said the PRO. The rains still continue in the Nanded district and another team of the Army from Southern Command is on standby and whenever required they will reach soon, added PRO.

Nearly 300 people in four villages in Mukhed Taluka were stranded following a cloudburst in the catchment area of Lendi river. The floor water from the adjoining district and some parts of neighbouring Karnataka aggravated the situation. On the first day on Monday, the Army along with SDRF and Quick Response Team (QRT) brought stranded people to safer places. Nearly 200 people from Ravangaon took shelter in a nearby mosque and 68 people were rescued from Hasnaal, Bhaswadi and Bhingeli village.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde visited the Mithi River, BMC Emergency Control Room, Kurla, Vikhroli Parksite, and other affected areas on Tuesday to review the situation and directed authorities to remain fully alert. Shinde also visited the State Disaster Management Centre to monitor rains and flood preparedness across the state.

Shinde said that, Mumbai has received 200 mm of rains in six hours and 350 mm in 24 hours, creating cloudburst-like conditions in low-lying areas. “Due to the heavy rainfall in a short span, several low-lying areas have waterlogged. Every department is on alert, and municipal officers are working on the ground,” Shinde said at a press briefing attended by BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani and Additional Commissioner Abhijeet Bangar. To expedite drainage, 525 municipal pumps are operational, with instructions to deploy additional pumps as needed.

Shinde inspected the Mithi River, where he said the water levels had risen to 3.9 metres, causing flooding in Kurla’s Krantinagar.

Nearly 350 residents were relocated to safe shelters with food and medical support. “NDRF teams and rescue boats are deployed along the Mithi River. The state government and municipal authorities are fully prepared to handle the situation,” he added.

He also visited Vikhroli Parksite’s landslide-prone Varsha Nagar, where preventive measures such as geo-netting in Ghatkopar, Mumbra, and Vikhroli Parksite have been implemented. “Permanent relocation plans for residents in high-risk landslide areas are being prepared to ensure their safety,” Shinde said.

In Thane, low-lying areas including Naupada and Kopri’s Chikhalwadi experienced waterlogging after 225 mm of rains, and Shinde instructed Thane Municipal Commissioner Saurabh Rao to deploy pumps for rapid drainage. “The Municipal Disaster Management Cell is working on a war-footing and keeping a close watch on all affected areas,” he added.

Mumbai has six main and ten mini-pumping stations with 525 pumps operational. Shinde highlighted the need to strengthen the city’s drainage system to keep pace with its growing population, saying, “We are planning infrastructure improvements to increase rainwater drainage capacity in the city and suburbs.” Suburban trains on the Central line were suspended, and extra BEST buses were deployed to assist commuters.

Assuring citizens of full readiness, Shinde appealed, “Heavy rains are continuing. Please remain cautious and step out only if absolutely necessary.”