At least 63 individuals have lost their lives, and 78 others have sustained injuries in Maharashtra due to heavy rains and monsoon-related incidents between June 1 and July 8. Financial aid of Rs 4 lakh each has been provided to the families of the deceased, following official guidelines, as stated by Disaster Management Minister Girish Mahajan in the Legislative Assembly.
In response to queries raised by the Opposition, Minister Mahajan detailed the casualties, which included 25 deaths from wall collapses, 23 from lightning strikes, 6 from landslides, 6 from tree falls, and 3 from drowning in floods. Furthermore, 200 cattle have perished, and 10 have been injured during this period.
Minister Mahajan defended the state government’s actions, emphasizing that there have been no shortcomings in disaster management. He stressed the importance of unity during crises and urged the Opposition to prioritize public welfare over politics.
Referring to a recent incident at a garbage depot in Pune, Minister Mahajan attributed the mishap to a 47-year-old accumulated dump that collapsed due to heavy rainfall. The collapse trapped 23 individuals under debris, with ongoing rescue efforts in progress.
Maharashtra is currently grappling with abnormal weather patterns, leading to excessive rainfall within short durations, resulting in flooded roads, waterlogged homes, and evacuations in various cities. The state government has distributed ration kits with supplies for 15 days to assist displaced individuals, with relief materials reaching 1,000 citizens in Palghar district alone.
The disaster management department has allocated Rs 1 crore to seven severely affected districts. In the Vasai-Virar region, flooding has disrupted power and mobile connectivity, with efforts underway to restore these services promptly once the water recedes.
Minister Mahajan refuted allegations from the Opposition regarding damage to the ‘Missing Link’ project on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, clarifying that the project remains unharmed, and accusations of financial losses are unfounded.
