Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Jul 8: Maharashtra continues to grapple with an intense monsoon spell that has wreaked havoc across the state, with persistent heavy rainfall over the past 24 hours leading to flash floods, overflowing rivers, building collapses and widespread disruption. According to the Maharashtra State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), 62 people and 200 animals have lost their lives since the monsoon season began on June 1.
The State Emergency Operation Center (SEOC) reported exceptionally heavy rainfall in several districts, particularly along the Konkan coast and western Maharashtra. Thane recorded the highest rainfall at 196.9 mm, followed by Palghar with 185.4 mm, Raigad at 134.1 mm, Mumbai Suburban with 125 mm and Pune at 69.4 mm during the last 24 hours.
Rainfall accumulated since the onset of the monsoon has remained significantly above normal across most districts. Palghar has received nearly 457.3 per cent of its average seasonal rainfall for this period, while Pune has recorded about 435.4 per cent, placing both among the state's most rain-affected regions.
Authorities said structural collapses and lightning strikes have accounted for the majority of fatalities. Building and wall collapse incidents have claimed 25 lives and injured 41 others in districts such as Nashik, Thane and Mumbai Suburban. Lightning strikes have killed another 23 people and left 17 injured.
The impact on livestock has also been severe, with lightning responsible for 181 of the 200 reported animal deaths recorded so far this monsoon.
Landslides and mudslides have claimed six lives and injured four others, mainly in the hilly districts of Sindhudurg, Ratnagiri, Raigad, Satara and Pune. Falling trees have resulted in six additional deaths, while flooding incidents have caused two fatalities.
Among the latest incidents, a wall collapse in Mumbai Suburban injured one person, while a tree fell in Ratnagiri, leaving two people injured.
Continuous rainfall has significantly raised water levels in several rivers across the state, with multiple rivers crossing danger marks. District administrations have begun evacuating residents from vulnerable low-lying areas and have issued high-alert warnings as flood risks continue to rise.
Adding to the concern, the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) has issued a red alert for Maharashtra's entire coastline until midnight, warning of extremely high waves, rough sea conditions and powerful tidal surges that could threaten coastal settlements and infrastructure.
Disaster management authorities have urged the public to stay away from beaches and coastal areas. Fishing operations and all nearshore recreational activities have been suspended, while fishermen and operators of small commercial vessels have been instructed not to venture into the sea due to the risk of dangerous wave activity and coastal erosion.