Palghar rains: One dead, schools shut as district seeks additional NDRF team for flood rescue

Officials said continuous rainfall has severely affected normal life, with extensive flooding disrupting road connectivity and making rescue efforts increasingly challenging. File Photo

Heavy overnight rainfall wreaked havoc across Maharashtra's Palghar district, inundating several towns and villages, leaving hundreds of residents stranded and prompting the administration to intensify rescue operations. One person was found dead in a flooded nullah, while authorities ordered the closure of all educational institutions in the district as a precautionary measure on Thursday.

Officials said continuous rainfall has severely affected normal life, with extensive flooding disrupting road connectivity and making rescue efforts increasingly challenging. The district administration has also sought additional support from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) as water levels continue to remain high in several areas.

One person found dead, identity yet to be established

Palghar District Collector Indu Rani Jakhar confirmed that one person was found dead in a nullah amid the heavy rains. The identity of the deceased had not been established at the time of reporting.

The administration is investigating the incident while continuing rescue and relief operations across the district.

Additional NDRF team sought as rescue operations intensify

With the flood situation worsening, the district administration has requested the Maharashtra government to deploy an additional NDRF team to strengthen ongoing rescue efforts.

"One NDRF team is already deployed in the district and is engaged in rescue operations. We have sought another team to strengthen the ongoing efforts," Jakhar told PTI.

She said the administration was closely monitoring the evolving situation and mobilising all available resources to assist affected residents.

Dahanu and Talasari among the worst-hit areas

According to the district administration, Dahanu and Talasari talukas have borne the brunt of the heavy rainfall, with large parts of Dahanu town and several villages in Talasari submerged under floodwaters.

"A massive rescue and relief operation has been launched. The situation remains precarious in several areas," the collector said.

Hundreds of residents have been stranded due to rising water levels, forcing many to take shelter on the upper floors of their homes.

Floodwaters hamper rescue efforts

Jakhar said rescue teams were facing significant challenges in reaching marooned residents because of strong water currents and widespread flooding.

"In some places, people are stranded on the first floor of their homes. They can be evacuated only after the water level recedes," she said, adding that even NDRF personnel were encountering difficulties in accessing several flood-hit locations.

Palghar Disaster Management Cell chief Vivekanand Kadam said Dahanu and Talasari had been virtually cut off following incessant rainfall.

Several roads, including those in Masvan and Saravali, remain submerged, severely affecting vehicular movement and delaying relief operations.

"Our rescue teams are in the field to evacuate stranded residents. Food packets can be supplied to those marooned only after the floodwaters recede sufficiently to allow access," Kadam said.

Schools closed as precautionary measure

Amid the deteriorating weather conditions, the district administration ordered all educational institutions in Palghar to remain closed on Thursday.

"There has been no major untoward incident so far, but a large number of people remain stranded at different locations. Our immediate priority is to rescue them safely," Jakhar said.

Authorities have urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel and follow official advisories until the situation improves.

Tree fall incidents reported in neighbouring Thane

Heavy rainfall also affected neighbouring Thane district, where multiple incidents of tree falls were reported.

According to officials from the district disaster control room, fallen trees damaged several vehicles and houses at different locations. However, no casualties were reported in these incidents.

Data released by the Thane Municipal Corporation's Regional Disaster Management Cell showed that Thane city recorded 99.32 mm of rainfall during the 24-hour period ending at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday. The city's cumulative rainfall for the current monsoon season has reached 1,893.78 mm, significantly higher than the 1,270.48 mm recorded during the corresponding period last year, according to Regional Disaster Management Cell chief Yasin Tadvi.

(With inputs from PTI)