Relentless rains ravage several states across India

MAHARASHTRA WORST-HIT, J&K CLOUDBURST TOLL AT 63, HIMACHAL ROADS CUT OFF

- MPOST BUREAU

NEW DELHI/MUMBAI: Heavy rains battered several parts of the country on Monday, disrupting normal life and triggering rescue operations across Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Odisha, and Jharkhand. Maharashtra emerged as the worst-hit, where seven people have died and over 200 villagers were left stranded in floods, prompting the deployment of the Army.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, after reviewing the situation at the State Emergency Operation Centre in Mantralaya, said, "So far, 7 lives have been lost. Some rivers in Konkan have risen to alarming levels, and Jalgaon has reported extensive losses. Directions have been given to remain alert."

In Nanded district, incessant rains inundated several villages, stranding more than 200 residents. The Army, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and police teams were pressed into service to assist the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), which rescued 21 people from Ravangaon and Hasnal villages of Mukhed taluka. Authorities confirmed that five persons remain missing in the region.

District Collector Rahul Kardile confirmed that a military unit has been deployed to support relief efforts. Officials reported a significant rise in the water level of the Lendi dam, an inter-state irrigation project between Maharashtra and Telangana, while floodwaters from Latur, Udgir, and parts of Karnataka compounded the crisis.