Heavy rain causes havoc in Maharashtra, over 100 died

Mumbai: The unrestrained and incessant heavy rain wreaks havoc in Maharashtra causing the death of more than 100 people in several places, including Thane, Raigad, Ratnagiri, Satara, Sangli and Kolhapur districts on Friday. At least 36 people reportedly died in a landslide in the coastal Raigad district.

The state government termed the rain related disaster 'unprecedented'. Over 7,000 people have been shifted from calamity hit regions in the state. The incessant rain that has been continuing for the last few days has left several districts, particularly in the Konkan region flooded with water.

Eight people admitted to a Covid hospital in Chiplun, Ratnagiri died after the rainwater entered the hospital where patients who were on ventilators died due to the lack of power and others reportedly succumbed to trauma.

Landslides were also reported in Ambeghar and Mirgaon villages in Satara apart from the Raigad district. Rescue teams of the National Disaster Response Force, State Disaster Response Force and other agencies are already in the state to assist the relief work. Six teams of the Indian Army and Navy are expected to join the rescue work today

Besides the death in the landslide in Raigad district, over 50 people are reported to have been missing and at least 50 villagers are feared trapped in landslides in Satara and Ratnagiri districts, at least 30-35 in the two villages of Ambheghar and Mirgaon alone.

Sections of the Konkan Railway track were also washed away. A Konkan Railway official said two trains were stuck at Margao. The line is expected to be operational by Saturday.

The Maharashtra government has announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh each to families of people who were died in the calamity. The injured will be treated in hospitals at government expense, the statement from Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray's office said.