Flood situation worsens in rain-lashed Mah; toll reaches 42

Mumbai, Aug 7 (UNI) At least 42 people have been killed in rain-related incidents in Maharashtra, including 28 in Marathwada alone, during the last three days due to torrential rains causing floods in various parts of the State.

With the situation getting worse in Marathwada, State Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, alongwith his deputy R R Patil today left to tour the affected region, but his visit was reportedly hampered by the rough weather.

In Marathwada, as heavy rains continued on the third straight day today, the death toll in rain-related mishaps reached 28 following three more deaths reported from the region last night.

Majority of the dams and lakes including Jayakwadi (Aurangabad), Vishnupuri (Nanded), Yeldari and Siddheshwar (Parbhani) have witnessed considerable rise in their water level following heavy rains in their catchment areas. As a result, irrigation authorities were forced to open 18 gates of Jayakwadi and 17 gates of the Vishnupuri project in Nanded.

In Aurangabad, three people have been killed in rain-related incidents, a Government release issued here said.

According to a report from UNI's Nanded bureau, at least 22,800 people have been evacuated from the flood-affected low laying areas of the district to 41 temporary camps set up by the administration.

While the Army have rescued about eight people from Hadgaon safely, at least 100 people are stranded at Sangmeshwar village in Deglur tehsil where the Army is expected to begin their rescue operation, sources said.

The district administration has set up temporary sheds and buildings of schools and colleges have been converted into the boarding of the flood-affected people there, sources added.

At least 6,500 people, majority of them residents of Dhangar Takli village in Purna tehsil of Parbhani district, have been stranded for the last 48 hours as their villages are surrounded by flood waters of Godavari river.

According to a report from UNI's Beed correspondent, at least 800 residents of Rajapur village in Georai tehsil have been stranded as flood waters surrounded their tiny village, cutting-off their communication lines.

The Army, which has reached there, is expected to begin rescue operations anytime.

The road traffic between Aurangabad-Nanded, Aurangabad-Parbhani, as well as elsewhere in the region has been partially blocked by the rains.

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