Maharashtra monsoon: 101 people dead, 13 reported missing so far due to heavy rains

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A 32-year-old fisherman from Maharashtra's Palghar district lost his life after the boat he was fishing in capsized in the choppy waters of the Arabian Sea, even as fishing remains banned during the monsoon. The incident occurred off the Dahanu coast on Wednesday when Bupendra Ambre and another fisherman set out for fishing. While the second fisherman managed to swim ashore, Ambre could not be rescued.

A search operation was initiated by the district disaster management cell with the assistance of the Indian Coast Guard. Unfortunately, Ambre's body was discovered on Thursday morning. The Palghar district has been witnessing relentless rainfall throughout the week, with the highest rainfall of 153.1 mm recorded on Thursday. Thane followed closely with 140.4 mm of rainfall, leading to waterlogging in low-lying areas and the evacuation of 153 people to camps.

The state of Maharashtra has been adversely affected by heavy monsoon rains, resulting in a total of 101 fatalities and 13 people reported missing so far this monsoon season.

In the meanwhile, thunderstorms with lightning and heavy rainfall are likely to occur in districts of Vidarbha region over the next four days, while residents of several villages have been warned of possibility of flooding due to water discharge from dams in the vicinity, officials said on Friday.

The Regional Meteorological Centre, Nagpur has issued 'yellow' alert for the next four days for Nagpur, Wardha, Buldhana, Gondia, for three days for Chandrapur, Gadchiroli, Amravati and for two days for Yavatmal, Buldhana, Akola and Washim.

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It has also issued 'orange' alert for Chandrapur, Gadchiolri and Yavatmal for Friday, officials added.

The Regional Meteorological Centre Nagpur has forecast thunderstorm with lightning and heavy rainfall in various districts of Vidarbha, an official said.

Incessant rain in Chandrapur district has forced the administration to open three gates of Irai Dam during the day, he said.

Arwat village and some areas near Wardha river were flooded due to this water discharge, prompting the disaster management team in Chandrapur to launch operations that resulted in rescue of 38 persons, he said.

In Buldhana, two gates (number one and six) of Hanuman Sagar Dam were opened partially, which resulted in the level of Vaan river rising, the official said.

Ten gates of Bembla Dam in Yavatmal too were opened partially, and alerts have been issued in villages in the vicinity over possibility of flooding, the official informed. (Agencies)