Maharashtra officials on high alert as Marathwada faces heavy rains and flood risk

Thane (Maharashtra) [India], September 28 (ANI): Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Sunday said officials are on alert and ready to manage heavy rainfall following the ongoing flood situation in the Marathwada region.
Speaking to reporters, Shinde said, "All officials are on alert. We are prepared to handle heavy rainfall whenever it happens. Arrangements are in place, from boats to pumping equipment. Many buildings in Thane and Ulhasnagar have been affected by the rain, and people will be shifted if necessary. Wherever there is a chance of water accumulation, people will be relocated. Officials are working as a team, and people will be provided relief."
Earlier, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis held a detailed review of the flood situation in Solapur and Beed districts on Sunday, directing the administration to intensify relief and rescue operations while ensuring the safety of citizens amid continuing heavy rainfall in the Marathwada region.
In Solapur, the Chief Minister was informed that 4,002 people have been rescued so far from flood-affected areas, while nearly 6,500 people are currently staying in relief camps. These camps have been equipped with food, drinking water, and healthcare facilities. Additionally, the Akshaya Patra Foundation is providing meals to villages as needed.
To address fodder shortages for livestock, Fadnavis ordered immediate supply arrangements, which will be expanded from Monday. Damage assessments of affected houses are also underway on a large scale. As interim relief, families are being provided with Rs 10,000 in cash, along with 10 kg of rice and 10 kg of wheat.
The Naam Foundation has extended support to the administration, while local entrepreneurs and community leaders are being mobilised for coordinated relief planning. District-level and taluka-level relief cells are being established, and the administration plans to launch large-scale health camps starting Monday.
In Beed, officials reported that 17 dams have reached full capacity, with two more nearly at 90 per cent. Water was being discharged only from the Majalgaon Dam. Heavy rainfall has severely affected parts of the district, with 48 revenue circles receiving downpours in the last 24 hours.
Some villages in Wadwani taluka have lost connectivity, though emergency assistance is being provided. Teams from the NDRF and the Indian Army are deployed and actively conducting rescue operations.
The Chief Minister was informed that villages along rivers have been placed on high alert, with evacuation plans ready if required. In Ashti, 60 citizens were shifted to safety. Since September, 2,567 families have had to be relocated due to flooding. Sadly, 10 lives have been lost, with financial assistance already provided to eight affected families.
Fadnavis instructed officials in both districts to remain on the ground, coordinate closely with state agencies, and ensure that relief measures--particularly food, water, healthcare, and fodder supply--are sustained without interruption. He emphasised proactive evacuation of vulnerable villages to prevent loss of life. (ANI)