Kolhapur flood: 51,000 people affected, Navy teams deployed

Kolhapur Incessant rains have caused a floodlike situation inwestern Maharashtras Kolhapur on Wednesday Nearly51000 people and 200 villages were affected due to heavy downpour Officials claim that more than 340 bridges had been submerged so farA defence spokesperson said thatfive rescue teams of the Navy have been deployed in order to provide assistanceto those affected by heavy rains in Kolhapur and SangliAccording to news agency PTI report Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has reviewed the flood situation in various parts of the state and instructed concerned authorities to make necessary arrangements like food drinking water and other essential items for those affectedAround 204 villages out of total 1234 in Kolhapur have been affected due to the floods Total 11000 families comprising nearly 51000 individuals are affected and 15000 people have been shifted to safer places Kolhapurs resident deputy collector Sanjay Shinde told PTIBesides 342 bridges have gone underwater and are closed for vehicular movement Around 29 state highways and 56 main roads have also been shut The MumbaiBengaluru National Highway No4 and the KolhapurRatnagiri highway part of the MumbaiGoa national highway are still shut he saidNavy rescue teams provide assistance to people affected by heavy rains in Kolhapur and Sangli Pic courtesy Chaitraly DeshmukhMore than 45 boats have been deployed to carry out evacuation operations in the floodaffected areas he added Reportedly Shindes office was also not spared by the rain furyMy office has been completely flooded due to rains and several offices in the collectorate have been shifted to other places he said Reports claim that Kolhapur and Sangli have been the worst affected by heavy rains in western Maharashtra in the last few daysIn response to the state administrations request for assistance to local populace affected by heavy rains in the area five teams of the Western Naval Command have been mobilised the defence spokesperson saidAs the rescue operations are underway four teams of divers from Goa naval area are also deployed in Kolhapur He said that the rescue teamswere flown from INS Hansa Naval air station at Goa on Wednesday morning for Kolhapur airfieldRescue teams carrying out evacuation operations in the floodaffected areas of Kolhapur and Sangli Pic courtesy Chaitraly DeshmukhA review meeting was conducted in Mumbai where the chief minister and several state officials attended CM Devendra Fadnavis also asked the water resources department to share information regarding water discharge from dams and otherprojects with railways regularlyFadnavis also urged the concerned officials to send medical teams in the affected districts in case of any requirement or demand from the local administration He further instructed officials to conduct special care of children in floodhit areasAlso ReadCM Devendra Fadnavis to pause yatra to review the flood situationThe Chief Ministers Office said that teams of the National Disaster Response Force NDRF and State Disaster Response Force SDRF have been deployed to assist the affected people The Navy Army Air Force and Coast Guard are also now engaged in rescue and relief efforts Pune Divisional Commissioner Deepak Mhaisekar on Tuesday said the flood situation in Kolhapur and Sangli was critical as several rivers in the region were flowing above the danger markAlso ReadPune Rains Seven bridges closed floodlike situation due to dams overflowingThree villages in Kolhapur with 7000 people have been cut off completely and efforts are on to evacuate them Mhaisekar said The administrations of Kolhapur and Sangli have declared a holiday for schools and colleges on WednesdayCatch up on all the latest Crime National International and Hatke news here Also download the new midday Android and iOS apps to get the latest updates