Rains subsides in Maharashtra during the last 24 hours

Mumbai, June 2 (UNI) Barring Ratnagiri district, rains have subsided in Maharashtra in the last 24 hours with the death toll in rain related incidents at 35.

Official spokesman Bhushan Gagrani who is also the Director General of Information and Publicity told reporters that Ratnagiri had received 118 mm of rainfall in the last 24 hours.

He said Mumbai city had recorded 30 mm of rainfall while suburbs had received 15 mm of rains.

Sindhudurg district had received 47 mm of rains, Raigad 37 mm and Satara 45 mm.

There is no warning of heavy or very heavy rains in the next 24 hours from the Weather bureau.

Mr Gagrani said out of the 35 deaths, 14 had died when lightening struck them, six of them electrocuted, six of landslide and wall collapses and six were washed away. The deaths of other three persons were not known.

Giving the district wise breakup, Mr Gagrani said seven persons had died in Sindhudurg, four in Ratnagiri, four in Nanded, three each in Aurangabad, Jalna and Satara, three in Thane, one each in Beed, Nagpur, Pune and three in Mumbai. In Mumbai, two persons had died due to electrocution and one due to wall collapse.

As per statutory orders of the Government about compensation during natural calamity, Rs one lakh will be given to their next of kin in case of an adult death, while Rs 50,000 will be given in case of the death of a minor.

He said there have been instances of loss or property and cattle especially in Konkan region. 'Panchnama' is being conducted, he added.

Mr Gagrani said western, central and harbour suburban services were normal and on schedule. Outstation services were also normal.

Only Konkan railway trains were running very late. Konkan Railway have set up a helpline (10722) for disseminating information to passengers.

Chief Secretary Dr D K Shankaran convened a meeting of representatives of the electronic media requesting that news reports about heavy rains and casaulties, if any, be given with responsibility without creating fear or misunderstanding in the minds of the people.

''we told them to please confirm with the official machinery and then air the news. Similarly, please do not show July 26, 2005, pictures of flooding while giving current news,'' he added.

He said situation of heavy rains in Ratnagiri was not unsual.

There have been minor incidents of landslides in Sindhudurg district and there were no casualties.

UNI MR MJ PA ND1954