Maharashtra : Heavy rains kill 14, destroy Kharif Crops

Pune : Many parts of Maharashtra was hit by heavy rains on Thursday due to a low pressure area in the Bay of Bengal. The Bhima and Krishna rivers were flooded due to rains on Wednesday, creating flood situation in Pandharpur and Sangli. NDRF teams were called in to help evacuate the flood victims.

Torrential rains in the state lashed western Maharashtra, Marathwada and Vidarbha. Wednesday’s heavy rain flooded several rivers. Four people died in floods in Pune district. 14 in Solapur. Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray directed all agencies to be vigilant to prevent any loss of life.

National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) units have been deployed at Osmanabad, Solapur, Pandharpur and Baramati. The Air Force, Navy and Army have been instructed to remain on high alert for immediate assistance. The low pressure belt formed in the Bay of Bengal and resulted into cyclone has caused heavy rainfall in many places for the last three days.

According to preliminary estimates, over 4.5 lakh hectares of crops were damaged in 23 districts. The soybean crop has been hit the most. Cotton along with tur and paddy has also been affected severely.

Solapur : 14 deaths in 3 days

Due to heavy rains, 14 people died in 3 days in Solapur district. More than 350 animals have died. 565 villages were affected and 4731 families were relocated.

Kolhapur : Crop destroyed

In Kolhapur district, the crops harvested due to heavy rains have been washed away. About 2350 hectares of land has been affected.

Sangli : Heavy rains everywhere

Due to heavy rains in Sangli district, roads of about 100 villages were closed. Krishna river is flooded.

Osmanabad : 130 rescued

About 130 people were trapped in the floods and all of them were rescued with the help of NDRF.