Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Jul 6: The Maharashtra government has stepped up disaster preparedness as heavy rainfall continues to batter several parts of the state, prompting the deployment of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams while authorities warned of an increased risk of landslides and flooding.
The State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC) said heavy rain is expected to intensify in multiple districts and urged residents to strictly follow advisories issued by local authorities.
To strengthen emergency response, 17 pre-positioned NDRF teams have been deployed across Maharashtra. Four teams have been stationed in Mumbai, two each in Palghar and Nagpur, and one each in Pune, Thane, Raigad, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, Satara, Kolhapur, Sangli and Dharashiv.
Additionally, six SDRF teams have been kept on standby, with two teams each deployed in Dhule and Nagpur and one team each in Nanded and Gadchiroli.
The state has witnessed exceptionally heavy rainfall over the past 24 hours. Mumbai recorded 151.2 mm of rainfall at Santacruz and 128 mm at Colaba. Other areas receiving significant rainfall included Lonavala (670 mm), Ambona (537 mm), Tamhini (580 mm), Bhivpuri (266 mm), Vibhag (305 mm), Nilshi (275 mm), Mulshi (230 mm), Matheran (302 mm), Karjat (291.5 mm), Panvel (182.5 mm), Juhu Airport (325 mm) and Bhayander (188.5 mm).
The SEOC has issued a Red Alert for Matheran, Lonavala, Khopoli and Lohagad, warning that persistent rainfall has significantly heightened the risk of landslides in these regions.
Rescue and relief operations are being coordinated with district administrations and the NDRF. Authorities are also using the Geographic Information Systems Decision Support System (GEO-DSS) to monitor vulnerable areas, assess risks and issue timely alerts.
The adverse weather has severely disrupted transport services across the state. Traffic on the Mumbai-Goa National Highway has been suspended following a landslide at Kashedi Ghat, while the old highway near Khopoli has been closed because of waterlogging.
The Pune-Mumbai Expressway has also been shut in both directions after a landslide on the Missing Link stretch. Railway services between Monkey Hill and Thakurwadi remain suspended due to landslides, disrupting movement on the Pune-Mumbai rail corridor. Restoration work is underway to clear debris and reopen both road and rail routes.
In Maval taluka's Ghorawadi area near Talegaon Dabhade, an NDRF team rescued all 25 passengers after their bus became stranded in floodwaters.
In another incident at Patan village in Maval taluka, a house was buried under a landslide, with three to four people feared trapped beneath the debris. Rescue teams have been deployed and search operations are continuing.
Meanwhile, in Mumbai's Mankhurd area, a building collapsed onto a nearby slum settlement, killing six people and injuring one other. Rescue personnel remain at the site as authorities continue relief operations and monitor the evolving situation.