Monsoon death toll reaches 81 in Marathawada

Aurangabad, Maharashtra, July 5 (UNI) The death toll due to lightning and rain related mishaps since the onset of monsoon in Marathwada region of Central Maharashra today reached 81 following one more death recorded in last 24 hours from Ardhapur Tehsil of Nanded district.

According to official sources here, Balaji Ramji Adhav (35) was washed away in a flood this morning at Ganpur village of Ardhapur Tehsil in Nanded district.

Of the eight districts of the region, Aurangabad, Nanded and Hingoli were worst affected by the incessant rains since last two days.

The region has been partially cut off from state capital Mumbai, since communication services such as trains, air and road remained disrupted on the second consecutive day today.

Four trains towards Mumbai have been diverted at Manmad Junction, while road traffic between Mumbai and Aurangabad remained disrupted on the second day, the sources said.

The Marathwada region comprising of eight districts has recorded a total of 81 deaths since the beginning of monsoon, of which 72 people died due to lightning and remaining due to rain related mishaps, official sources at the divisional commissionerate said.

The region has been receiving moderate to heavy rainfall since last night, after a gap of couple of days.

As per the district-wise information available at the divisional commissionerate here, Hingoli district has recorded highest rainfall of 291.4 mm, since beginning of the monsoon till today, followed by Aurangabad 275.9, Nanded 253.4 mm, Jalna 196.8 mm, Parbhani 192.4.9 mm, Latur 151.6, Osmanabad 146.3 mm, and Beed 125.4 mm, respectively.

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