Reeling under heavy rains, landslides, flooding and house collapses in several districts, Maharashtra today, on July 24, registered 29 more deaths as the total death toll rose to 76. The rains and the subsequent flooding has been described as ‘unprecedented’ by the Maharashtra government.

A total of 59 persons have been reported as missing as a result of the heavy downpour and more than 90,000 persons have been rescued by the teams comprising of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).

It is reported that Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray is likely to travel to Raigad at 1 pm today to take stock of the situation there. An Indian Air Force helicopter will reportedly be used for Thackeray’s aerial survey.

Also Read: CM Thackeray announces Rs 500,000 ex gratia compensation; rescue ops underway in Ratnagiri

Maharashtra’s Thane, Raigad, Ratnagiri, Satara, Sangli and Kolhapur districts have been the worst hit by the destruction caused by the heavy rains.

Satara’s Mahabaleshwar records highest single day rainfall

The tourist hotspot of Mahabaleshwar in Satara district recorded its highest single day precipitation — 60 centimetres (cm) in the last 24 hours. Mahabaleshwar had recorded its previous highest daily rainfall of 49.7cm in 2008.

Other parts of the Konkan coast that recorded heavy rains and flooding during the past 24 hours are: Kolhapur – 40cm; Londa – 38cm; Belagavi – 34cm; Betul – 28cm; Shivamogga – 27cm; Uttar Kannada – 24cm; Sanguem and Hoshangabad – 21cm each; Sanquelim -18 cm; and Kodagu -17cm.

In view of the deaths post heavy landslides and rainfall, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray had yesterday, on July 23, announced Rs 500,000 ex-gratia for the next of kin of those who have died in flood-related incidents in the state.

Apart from Maharashtra, heavy rainfall has been reported in parts of the neighbouring Karnataka and three people have died so far. There too, the rains have led to landslides in and evacuation of about 9,000 people in the last over the past 24 hours has been completed.

Weather forecast for coming days

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) stated in its latest weather bulletin issued at 8 am today that rainfall with isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall over Gujarat is expected on on July 24 to July 26. Also, isolated extremely heavy falls also likely over Gujarat region tomorrow, on July 25.

Rainfall with isolated heavy to very heavy falls ‘very likely’ to continue over west coast during next two days with reduction thereafter, the IMD stated.

“Increase in rainfall activity over northwest India likely over western Himalayan region from 25th July and over adjoining plains from 26th July. Fairly widespread to widespread rainfall with isolated heavy to very heavy falls likely over these areas from 25th and 26th July respectively. Isolated extremely heavy falls also likely over Uttarakhand on 25th and 26th July and over west Uttar Pradesh on 26th July,” the IMD stated in its bulletin.