Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray asks officials to expedite relief operations in rain-hit parts of state

NDRF personnel carry out rescue work in flooded Arajkheda village of Latur district in Maharashtra. Pic/PTI

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has directed the officials to expedite relief measures to the people affected by heavy rains and floods in parts of the Marathwada, north Maharashtra and Vidarbha regions. He gave the direction during a review meeting.

"The damage assessment surveys should be started at the earliest by the revenue, agriculture and other concerned departments. Damages to horticulture plantations and to the fertile layer of the agricultural land of farmers should also be part of the survey," he said. "Those students, who missed their examinations due to the unprecedented rainfall, should be given another chance to appear for the exam. A special exam can be arranged for such students a few days later," he said.

As many as 100 people have been rescued by the disaster response force with the help of boats and a helicopter of the Indian Air Force, officials told Thackeray during the meeting. More support on the ground has been sent by the state administration to carry out the rescue operations, they said.

In the last two days, at least 13 people died in heavy showers, floods and lightning in parts of Maharashtra with the Marathwada region bearing the major brunt of rain fury, while more than 560 people were rescued after the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) was mobilised and helicopters were deployed, the officials had said on Tuesday.

Of these 13 deaths, 12 were reported from Marathwada and Vidarbha regions and one from North Maharashtra's Nashik district, they had said. Besides, more than 200 cattle perished or were washed away and a number of houses were damaged in torrential rains that lashed Marathwada over the last few days, causing havoc in a region which is considered a perennially drought-plagued area, they had said.

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