Heavy rains claim 17 lives in Marathwada

Aurangabad, Maharashtra, Aug 6 (UNI) Heavy rains have so far claimed 17 lives in the last 24 hours, Deputy Divisional Commissioner Dilip Shinde said here today.

Nanded, Parbhani and Hingoli are the worst affected districts due to incessant rains, and at least 150 military jawans have been deployed there for relief and rescue operation, Mr Shinde said.

Almost all the 17 deaths were reported due to wall collapse and rain-related mishaps, Mr Shinde said adding that of the 17 deaths, Nanded and Jalna recorded five deaths each, followed by Latur and Parbhani with three deaths each and one death in Aurangabad.

Of the 76 tehsils, 68 tehsils of Marathwada region in Central Maharashtra have recorded heavy rainfall in the last 24 hours. And about 14,000 rain-affected people residing in low laying areas have been shifted to safer places, after the rain water entered their houses.

Communication lines have been totally cut off in over 40 villages in the region due to flood waters as almost all the rivers including Godvari river in Nanded are flowing above the danger mark since last evening, official sources said.

About 11 boats have been sent to the flood affected areas to assist the relief and rehabilitation work, which is being monitored by Divisional Commissioner Sanjay Kumar at Kalamnuri in Hingoli district and State Government's Prinicipal Secretary (Urban Development) Ramanand Tiwari at Nanded respectively, Deputy Divisional Commissioner Dilip Shinde told reporters here.

Seven Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawans who were swept away in the flood waters at Isli village in Mudkhed tehsil of Nanded district late last evening, were reportedly safe but are yet to be rescued from the flood, official sources in Nanded said.

According to rainfall figures available at the divisional headquarters here, Hingoli district has recorded a highest rainfall of 272 mm in the last 24 hours followed by Parbhani with 235 mm, Nanded with 158.9 mm, Jalna with 144.7 mm, Latur with 124.6 mm, Beed with 123.5 mm, Osmanabad with 70.9 mm and Aurangabad with 85.3 mm.

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