Torrential rain and gusty winds over two days have left Palghar district devastated, submerging 705.75 hectares of paddy fields across 350 villages and pushing 3266 farmers into crisis. With crops under water just ahead of harvest, farmers across the talukas are staring at ruin.
The heavy rain also triggered dramatic rescue operations. In Dahanu, a luxury bus carrying 50 women pilgrims was stuck in floodwaters at Pimpalset. Police and revenue officials managed to pull everyone out safely. In another incident near Chari, 16 women and a driver were stranded in a bus, but were rescued unharmed.
Google leads cars into waters
A bus that broke down, leaving the driver and passengers stranded (right) An electricity pole that fell across a road, blocking it
In Bhiwandi, seven passengers travelling in two Ola cabs from Nashik to Mumbai had a narrow escape after Google Maps directed them onto a submerged road near Sonale village. Fire brigade personnel rescued them with the help of boats.
Farmer swept away
The deluge also claimed a life in Raipur Gimbhalpada, Dahanu, where 55-year-old farmer Sadanand Devu Bhirbhira was swept away while trying to cross floodwaters. His body was recovered on Monday.
Lightning, storm damage
In Palghar’s Maswan Kharshet village, lightning struck a house, injuring Vilas Dhanwa, Vaishali Dhanwa, Pratik Dhanwa, Sonam Dhanwa, Bharti Sabla, and Tejal Sabla. They are undergoing treatment. In Jawhar’s Dahajri, one person was injured in a lightning strike. In Shiroshi, high winds toppled power poles, disrupting traffic.
At Vavar Vangani, a bridge was washed away, cutting off connectivity. In Dahanu’s Dehne Khumar Pada, Ganesh Karmoda’s house was damaged after a tree collapsed. Roads also bore the brunt: the Sogve Chadhavpada-Kothar Pada stretch caved in and was closed, while the Vanakas-Ambevadi-Savne road was washed away.
Meanwhile, heavy discharge from dams continued on Monday morning — 14,798 cusecs from Modaksagar, 17,684 cusecs from Tansa, 6,377 cusecs from Surya, and 37,303 cusecs from Kawdas and Dhamni.
People in distress
>> 50 homes damaged across Palghar district
>> 36 villagers trapped in Talasari’s Wadvali and Hadalpada shifted to safer areas
>> In Maswan Kharshet, six people were injured when lightning struck a house; they were admitted to nearby hospitals
>> Farmers in Mokhada, including Hanumant Padir, have urged the government to declare a “wet drought” and announce immediate relief
>> In Shahapur taluka, villages such as Cherpoli, Kamba, Umbarmali, Dahigaon, Tembha, and Vasind have seen standing crops destroyed; leaders from Shiv Sena (UBT) have demanded compensation
