Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday issued a warning about the severe weather conditions in the state, particularly in Mumbai, due to heavy rainfall, reported news agency ANI.
A red alert has been issued for Mumbai, Thane, and Raigad, with the IMD forecasting extremely heavy rainfall in these areas.
“In the last 2 days, Maharashtra has received widespread rainfall. Red Alert and Orange Alert have been issued for several districts. Even for the next three days, until 21st August, half of the districts in Maharashtra have either Red Alert or Orange Alert. We discussed the precautions that need to be taken due to this,” Fadnavis said, reported ANI.
The Chief Minister added that the state control room has already sent alerts to district centres, and relief measures are underway. “Our Control Room has sent an alert to the Centres in the districts. We are making every effort to provide relief wherever there is any damage. Efforts to further mitigate disasters that can occur in the days to come are being made,” Maharashtra CM said, reported ANI.
The Maharashtra government is working closely with neighbouring states to monitor the situation and prevent any flood-like situation, especially in Konkan, which has received heavy rainfall. The state government has also requested the Karnataka government to release water from the Almatti Dam to manage the situation.
“Talks are being held with neighbouring states, be it Telangana or Karnataka, regarding the proper maintenance of discharge or water from there. Arrangements have been made to prevent a flood-like situation, especially in Konkan, which has received heavy rainfall…Farmers had cultivated crops on about 4 lakh hectares of land. They have suffered loss. It will be assessed and aid will be provided,” the CM added, reported ANI.
In Nanded`s Mukhed area, 206 people were rescued after a cloudburst, and teams of NDRF and the military are working to rescue more people.
Fadnavis said, “In Mukramabad, Nanded, there was 206 mm rainfall yesterday. A cloudburst occurred yesterday. People were stuck there. Two hundred six people have been rescued, and more are being rescued. Teams of NDRF and the military are there. Similarly, in Mumbai, there has been widespread rainfall. In the last 8 hours, Mumbai has received 177 mm of rainfall. In the next 8-10 hours, a Red Alert has been issued in Mumbai. So, schools have been closed after noon…People have been told to step out only if it is needed,” he said, reported ANI.
The CM further warned that the next few days could see more disruptions. “There is going to be rainfall in Mumbai for the next 2-3 days. There is going to be a high tide as well. So, people should observe precautions. 14 places were waterlogged due to the recent rain. But traffic is moving at 12 locations. Mumbai`s train system is delayed but has not come to a halt…”
Mumbai witnessed severe inundation in low-lying areas, delayed local train services and traffic snarls at various places on Tuesday morning as there was no respite from heavy rains in the metropolis and neighbouring areas.
Schools and colleges were shut in Mumbai in view of the relentless rains and the `red alert` warning issued by the IMD, which forecast extremely heavy showers at isolated places here and neighbouring cities on Tuesday.
The Directorate of Higher Education has declared a holiday for all senior colleges in the Konkan region of Maharashtra in the wake of the heavy rainfall.
The order applies to colleges in Palghar, Thane, Raigad, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg districts.
A day after heavy showers battered Mumbai, its residents again faced the rain fury on Tuesday as various roads were submerged and traffic movement was disrupted since early morning.
(With inputs from ANI and PTI)
