Torrential rains have unleashed chaos in Maharashtra’s Nanded district, leaving five people missing and over 200 stranded in Mukhed taluka, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced on Monday. The deluge, which dumped approximately 206 mm of rainfall on Sunday, has triggered severe flooding, particularly in villages like Ravangaon, Bhaswadi, Bhingeli, and Hasnal, disrupting daily life and prompting urgent rescue operations.
Fadnavis reported a significant rise in the water level of the Lendi Dam, an interstate irrigation project between Maharashtra and Telangana, exacerbated by heavy inflows from Latur, Udgir, and neighboring Karnataka. “In Ravangaon, 225 citizens are trapped in floodwaters. Those in critical conditions have been evacuated, and efforts continue to relocate others to safer areas,” he posted on X. In Hasnal, eight people have been rescued, while 20 in Bhaswadi and 40 in Bhingeli remain stranded but are reported safe. Search operations are underway for the five missing individuals.
The Chief Minister is closely coordinating with district collectors in Nanded, Latur, and Bidar (Karnataka) to streamline rescue efforts. A 15-member Indian Army unit from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar has been deployed, alongside teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and local police. Nanded Collector Rahul Kardile confirmed that the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) rescued 21 people from Ravangaon and Hasnal on Sunday. “Water discharge from dams is ongoing, and we’ve requested Telangana’s irrigation department to manage releases from the Pochampad Dam if needed,” Kardile told PTI.
Also Read: Mumbai’s Dahi Handi Turns Tragic With Fatal Fall
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for Nanded, forecasting heavy rains through Tuesday, raising fears of further flooding. The crisis has also impacted nearby districts, with over 65 mm of rainfall recorded across 80 revenue circles in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Jalna, Nanded, and Parbhani on Sunday, including a high of 154.75 mm in Nanded’s Markhel circle. The state government has mobilized additional resources, and Fadnavis reviewed the situation from the Mantralaya control room, urging local administrations to remain vigilant. As rescue operations intensify, authorities are warning residents along the Godavari basin to stay alert amid rising water levels.
Also Read: Hurricane Erin Menaces Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands