Maharashtra is currently reeling from incessant downpours that have submerged several districts in its western and Marathwada regions. The relentless rain has led to severe flooding, cutting off six villages in Dharashiv district completely and forcing thousands to evacuate to relief camps.
As of Sunday, over 11,500 individuals have been safely relocated in the Marathwada area alone. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has personally assessed the grim situation, describing the coming two days as “critical.” He has instructed district collectors to remain highly vigilant and ensure all relief operations and services are executed without a hitch at the ground level.
In a crucial move, Mr. Fadnavis announced that a financial aid of ₹10,000 would be provided to families whose homes have been inundated. Additionally, he directed officials to address the urgent need for animal fodder, a significant concern for the affected agricultural communities.
This marks the second major spell of intense rainfall this month, causing extensive damage to standing crops and residential properties and displacing thousands. Remarkably, Maharashtra has already received a staggering 282.9 mm of rainfall in September alone.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a “red alert” for Mumbai, Konkan, and Marathwada, predicting continued heavy rainfall in these areas until September 30. The state government has responded by issuing a public advisory, urging residents to exercise extreme caution. The State Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) has also warned of potential urban flooding in key districts, including Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, Raigad, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg.
According to the IMD’s latest update, a depression originating over south interior Odisha has moved westward and weakened into a well-marked low-pressure area over West Vidarbha and adjoining North Madhya Maharashtra by 8:30 a.m. on September 28. While it is expected to weaken further within the next 24 hours, very heavy rainfall is still forecast for Konkan, Goa, and Madhya Maharashtra on September 28 and 29.
On Sunday, several cities experienced significant rainfall: Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar recorded 110.3 mm, Ahilyanagar 81.8 mm, Solapur 47.2 mm, Beed 65 mm, Latur 75.3 mm. In Mumbai, Colaba received 120.8 mm, and Santacruz recorded 83.8 mm. Consequently, a red alert remains in effect for Mumbai city and its suburbs, Thane, Palghar, Raigad districts, and the ghat areas of Pune and Nashik for September 29.
Chief Minister Fadnavis further reviewed the situation across all eight Marathwada districts: Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Beed, Hingoli, Jalna, Latur, Nanded, Dharashiv, Parbhani, and Solapur. Through a series of social media updates, he highlighted the ongoing relocation and rescue operations.
Specific efforts included the relocation of 362 citizens from Chakur city and Jalkot taluka in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. Ahilyanagar saw rivers and streams overflowing their banks. In Solapur, the Sina river exceeded its warning level at Vadakbal, prompting an Indian Air Force helicopter to rescue 12 stranded individuals in Dev Takli taluka. Nanded is housing 304 people in relief camps, with 120 in Loha, as 16 camps operate across the district. Latur witnessed over 500 people in relief camps and 60 roads and bridges submerged. In Jalna, 225 residents from Bhoipur, Arjunnagar, Lalbaug, and Khandsari were moved to safety, and 52 others were rescued from the floods.
The rising water levels in the Godavari river, particularly in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Nanded, are a direct result of heavy water discharge from the Jayakwadi dam. The Divisional Commissioner’s office in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar confirmed that all 27 gates of Jayakwadi, the region’s largest reservoir, were opened, releasing 2.26 lakh cusecs of water. While discharge from the Majalgaon dam was reduced to 41,701 cusecs from 95,000, the Sina river released 75,000 cusecs in Dharashiv, Solapur, Ahilyanagar, and Beed, and Ujjain experienced a discharge of 1 lakh cusecs.
The monsoon’s impact from June 1 to September 26 has been devastating for Marathwada, affecting 6,798 villages. The toll includes 90 fatalities and the loss of 2,534 animals. A total of 7,727 houses and sheds have been damaged, and the agricultural sector has suffered immense losses, with 36.17 lakh farmers impacted and 30.90 lakh hectares of land damaged. Officials have completed damage assessments (punchnamas) for 22.47 lakh hectares.
Chief Minister Fadnavis assured that relief camps are adequately supplied with drinking water and food. He also confirmed the release of ₹2,000 crore in compensation. Emphasizing a humanitarian approach, he instructed officials to be flexible with damage assessments and compensation rules, stating, “Don’t be rigid about the rules and see to it that no inconveniences are caused to people in availing the compensation.”