Maharashtra rains: Legislative council adjourned as minister says 13 killed in rain-related incidents

The Maharashtra legislative council and assembly were adjourned for the day on Monday amid heavy rainfall in Mumbai and neighbouring districtsThe decision was taken after the India Meteorological Department IMD issued a red alert warning of heavy rainfall and strong winds across Mumbai and surrounding regionsBefore the legislative council was adjourned Disaster Management Minister Girish Mahajan said Mumbai and neighbouring Palghar and Raigad districts had witnessed recordbreaking rainfall He said 13 people had lost their lives in rainrelated incidents across the state over the last three to four daysMahajan said the weather department had issued a red alert forecasting heavy rainfall over the next two daysFatal incidents reported during heavy rainfallSeveral rainrelated incidents have been reported in Mumbai during the ongoing spell of heavy showersOn Sunday six people were killed after a structure collapsed in Mankhurd following heavy rainfallTwo people died in separate tree collapse incidents in Mumbai over the last two days while an 11yearold boy lost his life after a tree fell on a moving school bus on June 30Authorities have urged residents to remain cautious as strong winds and heavy rain continue to affect the city and nearby districtsFadnavis says administration is on alertMeanwhile Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar appealed to legislators and citizens to cooperate with authorities during the ongoing weather situationAnnouncing the adjournment Narwekar said collective efforts were needed to deal with the impact of heavy rainfallChief Minister Devendra Fadnavis told the House that recent incidents including wall collapses and landslides were caused by extreme weather conditions and not due to a lack of preparednessThe entire disaster management machinery municipal corporations and other agencies are on the ground We are in alert mode he saidGovernment monitoring rainrelated situationFadnavis said traffic movement on the MumbaiPune route was stopped and diverted immediately after a landslide was reported He added that people were advised not to travel through the affected stretchAccording to the chief minister arrangements were made to assist stranded motorists while rescue teams worked to remove vehicles stuck due to flooding and debrisHe said a detailed statement on rainrelated incidents the governmentrsquos response preventive steps and overall preparedness would be presented in the House on TuesdayCitizens urged to avoid unnecessary travelFadnavis appealed to people to remain alert as strong winds reaching speeds of 70 to 90 kmph were expected and could lead to tree falls and damage to temporary structuresHe urged citizens to avoid unnecessary travel and advised people not to visit waterfalls or tourist locations during the heavy rainfall periodOn average 800 trees fall during the monsoon but on Sunday alone 350 trees fell the CM pointed outThe entire administration is in alert mode We are reviewing the situation across Maharashtra If there are any shortcomings the government will address them immediately The machinery will not fall short anywhere he saidFadnavis said extreme rainfall was a force majeure situation beyond human control but public cooperation would help authorities handle such emergencies more effectively