22 September,2025 03:18 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Ajit Pawar also ordered that a National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team be deployed to the site. Representational Pic/File/AFP
Several people were stranded in floodwaters after heavy rains inundated a village in Dharashiv district of Maharashtra, prompting Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar to direct authorities to evacuate them, reported the PTI.
The downpour led to flooding in Sakhat village under Paranda taluka, cutting off the area and leaving at least 12 persons trapped, a statement from Ajit Pawar's office said on Monday.
The state deputy CM, in a telephonic conversation with Dharashiv District Collector Kirti Kiran Pujar, instructed that those stranded be rescued immediately and shifted to safer locations, according to the PTI.
Ajit Pawar also ordered that a National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team be deployed to the site and arrangements for helicopter support be made if required.
Taking stock of the overall rain situation in the state, Ajit Pawar said the government was closely monitoring conditions in several districts hit by heavy downpours.
He directed district administrations, disaster management agencies and local bodies to remain vigilant and ensure the timely evacuation of people in vulnerable areas.
The NDRF and SDRF (State Disaster Response Force) teams should remain on standby to carry out relief and rescue operations, Ajit Pawar said.
"The state government stands firmly with citizens during this crisis. Farmers and affected families will receive all necessary assistance," he assured, as per the PTI.
Meanwhile, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday issued a yellow alert for Mumbai, Palghar and Thane districts in Maharashtra as heavy rains lashed parts of state.
In a weather bulletin, the IMD predicted, "Thunderstorm accompanied with lightning, heavy rainfall and gusty winds (30-40 kmph) at isolated places in Mumbai on September 22."
A similar prediction was made for several parts of Maharashtra including Thane and Palghar districts.
An orange alert was issued for Nashik, Jalgaon, Beed, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Ahliyanagar districts in Maharashtra, predicting "heavy to very heavy rainfall
and thunderstorm with lightning and gusty winds at isolated places."
Earlier in the day, the weather department, in its Mumbai weather updates, had predicted that Mumbai city and its suburbs were expected to witness a partly cloudy sky today, with the possibility of moderate rainfall.
(with PTI inputs)