Heavy rains continue, death toll reaches 31

Aurangabad, Maharashtra, Aug 7 (UNI) The incessant rains causing floods in the region continued for the third day today in Marathwada, with death toll in rain-related mishaps reaching to 31 following six more deaths from the region since last night.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, who arrived here along with Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil from Mumbai to undertake an aerial survey of the flood-affected districts, had monitored the flood situation as well as relief and rehabilitation operations from Aurangabd, since he could not undertake aerial survey due to bad weather.

Mr Deshmukh who had come here in the morning, has spent more than eight hours at the 'Sebhedari Guest house,' and monitored the situation. He also held a meeting with top officials during his stay, the sources said.

The flood situation has worsened in the region, not because of the heavy rains on the third day today, but due to discharge of water from major irrigation projects, which had seen considerable rise in their storage level due to heavy rains in their catchment areas.

According to official information available at the divisional commissionerate here, of the 31 deaths, Nanded topped by registering eight deaths in last three days followed by Aurangabad seven, Jalna and Parbhani five each Latur four and Beed two.

Army, Navy and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) have been assisting the government authorities in the relief and rescue operation so far, official sources said in Aurangabd.

(Eds: please pick suitably from the third para of BY 7 'Weather Rains-Marathwada.' X X X Majority of the dams and lakes X X X.

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