At least seven people have lost their lives and 10 others have been injured after relentless rainfall and flooding battered parts of Maharashtra over the last few days, prompting urgent rescue, relief, and compensation efforts by the state government.
Since June 1, Maharashtra has recorded 996.7 mm of rainfall, 103.57% above the average, leading to widespread agricultural and infrastructural losses. The Chief Minister revealed that crops spread over 69.95 lakh acres across 30 districts have been damaged, based on preliminary estimates by the state agriculture department.
Districts including Beed, Dharashiv, Ahilyanagar, Solapur, and Parbhani have borne the brunt of the torrential downpours, suffering extensive agricultural and residential damage.
In total, 195 tehsils and 654 revenue circles have reported crop losses between August 1 and September 22. The worst-hit areas include Nanded (18.20 lakh acres), Solapur (9.95 lakh acres), Yavatmal (8.56 lakh acres), and Dharashiv (8.29 lakh acres).
With another round of heavy rain forecast between September 27 and 28, the state government has appealed to citizens to take all necessary precautions. “The administration is on full alert, and we are prepared to handle the situation,” Fadnavis assured.
RS 1,829 COMPENSATION ALLOCATED, SAYS CHIEF MINISTER
In the wake of incessant rains that have been going on for over two months, the state government has announced a compensation package of Rs 2,215 crore for approximately 31.64 lakh farmers affected by extensive crop and property damage. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced the same after a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, emphasising swift relief and rehabilitation efforts as the situation remains critical in several districts.
Chief Minister Fadnavis said that Rs 1,829 crore of the announced compensation has already been allocated at the district level and will be deposited into farmers’ bank accounts within the next 8 to 10 days.
“Immediate assistance is being provided as soon as the Panchnamas are completed,” he said, adding that District Collectors have been empowered to disburse aid promptly for deaths, livestock loss, and property damage. “Relief work has not stopped anywhere,” he emphasised.
RESCUE ONGOING, FURTHER STEPS UNDERWAY
As of now, 17 teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have been deployed in the worst-affected regions, with 27 individuals rescued by helicopter. Several villagers have been relocated to safer areas, with arrangements for food, water, and shelter being provided by the administration.
The Chief Minister is scheduled to visit the flood-affected regions on Wednesday, and all guardian ministers have been instructed to conduct on-ground assessments in their respective districts.
The state government has also initiated steps to address grievances regarding land erosion due to floods. Fadnavis noted that while the Centre has released advance funds under the Disaster Management Act, the state will not wait for central assistance to begin disbursing relief. “The Centre will not fall short in providing support, but the state has already started its work,” he said.
‘DECLARE WET DROUGHT’, DEMANDS CONGRESS
Meanwhile, Congress legislative leader Vijay Wadettiwar has demanded that a “wet drought” be declared in the state and urged the government to compensate farmers at the rate of Rs 50,000 per hectare, as per earlier government resolutions. He also criticized the lack of benefits under the current crop insurance scheme.
The state agriculture department is expected to conduct further assessments in the coming weeks to evaluate the full extent of the damage and determine additional support measures for affected farmers.
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