Maharashtra Villages Devastated by Monsoon Floods, 26 Dead

Torrential rains have unleashed chaos across Maharashtra, claiming at least 26 lives and displacing thousands as floods, landslides, and swollen rivers wreak havoc in multiple districts. Over the past few days, heavy downpours have battered Mumbai, Thane, Raigad, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, and other regions, leaving a trail of destruction, submerged farmlands, and disrupted connectivity. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, after reviewing the crisis with the disaster management department, warned that the next 48 hours are critical for Mumbai, Thane, Raigad, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg, all of which remain on high alert.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) attributes the relentless rainfall to a low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal, intensifying monsoon winds and activating a trough from north Konkan to Kerala. This has triggered extremely heavy rainfall in Konkan, central Maharashtra, and the ghats, with moderate showers elsewhere. The IMD has forecast intense rainfall for Konkan, including Mumbai, and central Maharashtra for the next two days, while Marathwada and Vidarbha are under an orange alert, expected to downgrade to yellow later this week.

In Nanded district, over 290 people have been rescued from flood-hit villages, with the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and the Army deployed for ongoing operations. In Gadchiroli, more than 50 villages in Bhamragad taluka are cut off after the Perlkota River overflowed, closing the Bhamraga-Allapalli Highway. A tragic incident in Kodpe village saw a 19-year-old swept away while crossing a swollen stream. In Washim, major rivers have been in spate for four days, devastating thousands of hectares of kharif crops.

Also Read: Kerala Rivers Swell, Orange Alert in Northern Districts

Western Maharashtra is grappling with severe flooding as well. The Radhanagari Dam in Kolhapur released 11,500 cusecs of water into the Bhogavati River, pushing the Panchganga River above danger levels for the fifth time this season. The Kolhapur-Ratnagiri Highway was shut for hours due to landslides, stranding commuters. Similarly, heavy discharge from the Chandoli Dam has raised water levels in the Warna River, prompting alerts for downstream villages in Kolhapur. The Koyna Dam, a key hydroelectric reservoir, began controlled water releases into the Koyna River, with towns like Karad in Satara district warned of rising river levels.

In Konkan’s Raigad district, Roha taluka recorded over 160 mm of rainfall on Monday, with the Kundalika and Savitri Rivers flowing above danger marks. Landslides and flooding have disrupted road connectivity in Mahad and Nagothane, and the district administration declared a holiday for schools and colleges on Tuesday to ensure safety. Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar reported that nearly 10 lakh hectares of agricultural land have been submerged across the state, with damage assessments planned once the rains subside.

Thane district alone has seen 20 deaths since May, caused by tree falls, drowning, lightning strikes, and electrocution, according to Sandeep Mane, resident deputy collector and chief executive officer of the District Disaster Management Authority. The district recorded 1,842.9 mm of rainfall this monsoon, with 119.7 mm on Monday alone, accounting for 70.8% of its seasonal quota. Kalyan taluka reported the highest casualties at 11, followed by Shahapur (5), Murbad (3), and Thane taluka (1). Additionally, 337 houses were partially damaged, 13 cattle perished, and 20 families in Ambernath were relocated to safer shelters.

With no immediate respite from the rains, the state administration has urged residents to stay indoors unless absolutely necessary. Rescue operations involving the SDRF, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and the Army are underway in vulnerable areas. Authorities have warned that river levels in Konkan and Vidarbha could rise further, posing additional risks. As Maharashtra battles this monsoon crisis, the focus remains on evacuating residents from low-lying areas, restoring connectivity, and mitigating further loss of life and property.

Also Read: Five Missing in Nanded Floods, Says Fadnavis