NDRF deploys teams as heavy rains continue to lash several parts of Maharashtra

The National Disaster Response Force NDRF has deployed its teams in Mumbai and parts of Maharashtra as heavy rains continue in stateThe teams were deployed to ensure a quick response to any emergencies officials saidAn official statement said that the prepositioning of rescue teams began on July 1 2026 and has been carried out in coordination with the Maharashtra State Disaster Management Authority SDMA and the NDRF headquartersThe teams will remain deployed throughout the monsoon seasonTeams stationed in key locationsNDRF teams have been positioned in several districts considered vulnerable to floods and other monsoonrelated disastersThese include Satara Sangli Kolhapur Dharashiv Raigad Ratnagiri Sindhudurg Thane Palghar Mumbai Nagpur and North Goa it saidThe deployment has been planned based on the geographical risks of these areas past disaster experiences and weather forecasts issued by the India Meteorological Department IMDQuick response to emergenciesSantosh Bahadur Singh Commandant of the 05th Battalion NDRF in Pune said the strategic deployment of teams would significantly reduce response time during emergenciesHe said this would allow rescue and relief operations to begin immediately whenever requiredAccording to the NDRF all deployed teams are equipped with modern search and rescue equipment flood rescue gear communication systems and trained personnelThe teams are also working closely with district administrations and other government agencies to ensure coordinated disaster response during the monsoonCitizens urged to stay alertThe NDRF said it is fully prepared to deal with both natural and humanmade disasters and remains committed to protecting lives and carrying out rescue and relief operations whenever neededThe officials have urged people to stay alert during the monsoon season and follow official weather advisories and safety instructionsAlert for parts of MaharashtraMeanwhile the India Meteorological Department IMD also issued a red alert for Raigad district in Maharashtra predicting heavy rains on FridayParts of Maharashtra continued to witness heavy rains prompting the weather department to issue orange and yellow alertsAn orange alert was issued for Ratnagiri Nashik Buldhana Gadchiroli Washim Yavatmal ghats of Nashik Kolhapur and Satara A red alert was issued for ghats of PuneMeanwhile a yellow alert was issued for Shindudurg Dhule Nandurbar Jalgaon Ahilyanagar Pune Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Jalna Parbhani Beed Hingoli Nanded Akola Amravati Bhandara Chandraour Gondia Nagpur and Wardha districts in MaharashtraThe alert mentioned Thunderstorm accompanied with lightning gusty winds 3040 kmph with heavy rainfall at isolated placesWeekend red alertsThe weather departments bulletin for the weekend stated that ghats in Pune Satara and Nashik were likely to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall on Saturday June 4The IMD has also issued a red alert for Mumbai Thane and Palghar warning of heavy rainfallon the weekendThe weather alert mentioned Heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places with extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places on July 4 and 5Mumbai on Friday continued to experience intense spells of rainThe IMD on Friday issued an orange alert for Mumbai Thane Palghar and Raigad districtsThe weather department said that heavy to very heavy rainfall in Mumbai and its suburbs is expected on FridayAs per IMD heavy spells of rain was likely to be accompanied by gusty winds reaching speeds of 5060 kmph on July 3It has advised residents to remain cautious