Outlook Planet Desk
Maharashtra has faced severe flooding over the last two days, leaving 6 people dead and hundreds displaced. Torrential rains have inundated roads, submerged villages, and caused widespread crop damage, particularly in Mumbai, Konkan, and central Maharashtra regions.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis reviewed the situation, highlighting the next 48 hours as critical for Mumbai, Thane, Raigad, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg. State authorities are coordinating evacuation, monitoring river levels, and mobilising rescue teams to protect citizens in low-lying and vulnerable areas.
Over 290 people have been rescued from flood-hit villages in Nanded district. The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and Army personnel are deployed for relief operations, ensuring stranded citizens are brought to safety amid rising water levels and continuing heavy rainfall across the region.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said that a low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal, combined with strong monsoon winds, has caused heavy rainfall. Konkan and central Maharashtra are facing extremely heavy showers, while Marathwada and Vidarbha are seeing moderate rain, with rains expected to ease later this week.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said that nearly 10 lakh hectares of farmland have been flooded by relentless rains. Officials warned that farmers livelihoods and food production have already taken a hit, and damage assessments will start once the weather improves.
Major rivers in Washim and Kolhapur districts are overflowing, submerging villages and destroying kharif crops. Dams like Radhanagari and Chandoli have released large amounts of water, raising alerts for downstream towns and underlining the continuing flood risks for local communities.
Landslides and floods have cut off road connectivity in Gadchiroli, Mahad, and Nagothane. Over 50 villages in Bhamragad taluka remain isolated due to river overflow, while highways, including Kolhapur-Ratnagiri, are temporarily closed, complicating rescue and relief operations across affected districts.
Konkan districts recorded intense rainfall, with Raigad’s Roha taluka receiving more than 160 mm rain on Monday. Rivers like Kundalika and Savitri are flowing above danger marks. Schools and colleges remain closed on Tuesday as local authorities urge residents to stay indoors and avoid non-essential travel amid worsening conditions.
With the rains showing no signs of easing, Maharashtra authorities have advised people to remain indoors unless absolutely necessary. Rescue teams from the SDRF, NDRF, and the Army are on alert, as rising river levels in Konkan and Vidarbha regions continue to pose a serious threat.