Heavy rainfall lashes Maharashtra, Palghar records 203 mm, rivers cross danger marks
Mumbai, July 7 (IANS) Heavy monsoon rains lashed several parts of Maharashtra over the last 24 hours, causing severe waterlogging, rivers to swell, and weather-related casualties, as per a Maharashtra State Disaster Management Authority (MSDMA) situation summary report on Tuesday morning detailing the impact of the intense downpour across the state.
Palghar district recorded the highest rainfall in the state over the last 24 hours, receiving a staggering 203.3 mm of rain. Neighbouring Thane and Raigad districts also experienced heavy downpours, recording 116.4 mm and 108.7 mm of rainfall, respectively. Mumbai Suburban registered 90.4 mm, while Pune saw 70.9 mm.
The relentless precipitation has caused multiple rivers along the Konkan coast to breach safety levels. Amba, Savitri, and Jagbudi rivers breached the danger level, while the Kundalika and Pinjal rivers crossed the warning level.
The disaster management report confirmed two human fatalities and multiple injuries resulting from monsoon-related incidents.
In Satara, one person was killed in a landslide. Heavy rainfall also caused a wall collapse, resulting in the death of four animals. In Nandurbar, one person died in a lightning strike. In Thane & Mumbai city, one person was reported injured in each location due to tree-falling incidents. In Palghar, no human casualties were reported, but 11 animals were swept away and killed in floodwaters.
The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) has issued a Red Alert High Wave Warning effective until the night of July 8 for the entire Maharashtra coastline. Rough seas with massive wave surges are forecast, with waves reaching heights of 4.8 to 5.0 metres in Ratnagiri & Sindhudurg, heights of 4.2 to 4.5 metres in Thane, Mumbai, and Raigad, and 3.7 to 3.9 metres in Palghar.
Authorities have strictly advised small vessels and fishing boats not to venture into the sea. All nearshore recreational activities have been completely suspended due to the imminent threat of coastal erosion and severe wave surges.
Despite the intense spell of rain, dam water levels across the state remain moderate. Total stock across all reservoirs stands at 32.62 per cent of capacity, lower than the 46.57 per cent recorded on this date last year. Reservoirs in the Konkan division are currently at the highest capacity at 68.52 per cent.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) Nowcast has placed regions like Nashik and Palghar under alert/warning zones for the afternoon. Over the next 24 hours, Orange alerts remain active for the eastern districts of Bhandara and Gondia, while several parts of Vidarbha remain under a yellow watch. Emergency services and local administrations across vulnerable districts have been placed on high alert to handle any flooding or rescue operations, said the situation summary report.
–IANS
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