NEW DELHI – Several Indian states, including Goa, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, have reported floods and landslides following incessant rain over the past 48 hours, reported Sputnik news agency.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has also predicted similar weather for the next few days.
At least 136 people have died due to heavy rain in Maharashtra in the last 48 hours, Maharashtra Relief and Rehabilitation Minister Vijay Wadettiwar told reporters.
Late last night, the state government confirmed that over 84,000 people have been rescued.
Ratnagiri is the worst-hit district, where eight Covid-19 patients at a hospital died when water entered the premises. A total of 38 individuals were also found dead in the coastal areas of the district, and 50 others are still trapped in Talai village due to a landslide.
The rain caused worry in hundreds of villages, sweeping away houses and leaving residents stranded.
National Disaster Response Force and Indian Army Rescue personnel are evacuating survivors, but many people are feared missing.
The Maharashtra government has announced an ex gratia of US$6,717 (RM28,389) to each family whose members have died in landslides triggered by heavy rain in different parts of the state.
The situation is worrying in neighbouring states, too. Several parts of Goa, including Sattari and Bicholim in the north and Dharbandora in the south, are facing a flood-like situation.
In Karnataka, three people have died due to heavy rainfall. About 9,000 others have been evacuated after landslides occurred in eight places in the state.
IMD yesterday issued a red alert informing state authorities to “take action”, an orange alert to “stay prepared” and a yellow alert to “be aware”. – Bernama, July 24, 2021
