• Source:JND
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Maharashtra Floods: At least eight people have died and hundreds of houses have been damaged over the past four days as heavy rains battered the usually dry Marathwada region of Maharashtra since September 20. The fatalities include three in Latur, two in Beed, and one each in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Nanded, and Dharashiv, caused by lightning strikes, drowning, and other rain-related incidents, a revenue official said on Tuesday.

Over the last two days, 555,410 acres of farmland have been submerged in Marathwada. In response, the state government has approved a Rs 2,215 crore relief package for 31.64 lakh farmers who lost their lands to the floods, with assurances of additional aid to follow.

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Rescue Operations

Rescue operations have been underway as well. In the past 24 hours, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) rescued 320 people, including a newborn and its mother, from four districts, Dharashiv, Beed, Ahilyanagar, and Solapur. Fadnavis confirmed large-scale deployment of rescue teams and assured immediate compensation for farmers affected by the floods.

Addressing reporters after a cabinet meeting, CM Fadnavis confirmed the large-scale deployment of rescue teams and assured immediate compensation for farmers affected by the floods.

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis said, "The flood situation in Maharashtra was discussed in the cabinet meeting today. People have been evacuated with the help of the NDRF. The government has made arrangements for food and accommodation at various locations for a large number of people. Almost 17 divisions of the NDRF and the SDRF are working on the rescue operations. We have decided to provide immediate compensation to the farmers. This money will be transferred to the farmers' accounts within the next 10 days. All our ministers will visit the flood-affected areas tomorrow."

While discussing the ongoing rescue operations, the state government said it had sanctioned Rs 2,215 crore for farmers. Additionally, Rs 1,829 crore has already been distributed.

"We have also decided to provide immediate compensation to the farmers. We are releasing the money as per our standing orders. So far, the state government has issued orders of Rs. 2,215 crores, which will benefit 31,64,000 farmers. Rs. 1,829 crores have been distributed. The remaining amount will also be distributed in a couple of days. In the next 10 days, this money will go to the farmers' accounts. The work has not stopped," said Fadnavis.

Marathwada Region Rainfall

The Marathwada region, comprising eight districts, has received 28.5 percent more rainfall than average since June 1 this year. Till Tuesday morning, the region recorded 823.8 mm of rainfall against the expected 640.8 mm for the period. Dharashiv district alone registered 833.5 mm of rainfall, 148.8 percent of the average 560 mm. Over the past four to five days, rainfall of 975.05 mm was recorded, amounting to 102 percent of the average, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis told reporters after a cabinet meeting.

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Districts Affected In Maharashtra Floods 

As a result of the heavy rains and flooding of rivers, 159 villages across six talukas have been affected, according to a primary loss report by the district administration. In Paranda taluka, 96 villages were impacted, followed by 53 in Bhum, five in Lohara, three in Vashi, and one each in Tuljapur and Kalamb. An official said 766 houses sustained partial damage while five huts were completely destroyed. Crops spread across 33,010 hectares were also damaged, and the Dharashiv administration has begun conducting a crop loss survey.