Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis reviewed the flood situation in various parts of the state including Kolhapur and directed the authorities concerned to make adequate arrangements for food, drinking water and other essential items for those affected.
Kolhapur: The flood situation following incessant rains in western Maharashtra's Kolhapur continued to remain grim on Wednesday (August 7). The rains have affected nearly 51,000 people and 200 villages, while submerging over 340 bridges.
Five rescue teams of the Navy were mobilised to assist those affected by heavy rains in Kolhapur and Sangli, a defence spokesperson said.
Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis reviewed the flood situation in various parts of the state and directed the authorities concerned to make adequate arrangements for food, drinking water and other essential items for those affected.
"Around 204 villages out of 1,234 in Kolhapur have been affected due to the floods. Overall, about 11,000 families, comprising nearly 51,000 individuals, are affected, and 15,000 people have been shifted to safer places," Kolhapur's resident deputy collector Sanjay Shinde told reporters.
"The Mumbai-Bengaluru National Highway 4 and the Kolhapur-Ratnagiri Highway (part of the Mumbai-Goa National Highway) are still shut," he said.
During the review meeting in Mumbai with ministers and senior state officials, the chief minister asked the water resources department to share information on water discharge from dams and other projects with railways regularly.
Fadnavis also asked the officials concerned to ensure medical teams are made available in the affected districts in case of any requirement or demand from the local administration. He also ordered special care of children in flood-hit areas.
Teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) were deployed to assist the affected people, the chief minister's office (CMO) said, adding that the Navy, Army, Air Force and Coast Guard were also engaged in rescue and relief efforts.
Pune divisional commissioner Deepak Mhaisekar on Tuesday (August 6) said the flood situation in Kolhapur and Sangli were "critical" as several rivers in the region were flowing above the danger mark.
"Three villages in Kolhapur with 7,000 people have been cut off completely, and efforts are on to evacuate them," Mhaisekar said.
Schools and colleges in Kolhapur and Sangli remained closed on Wednesday (August 7).
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