Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis Directs All Agencies to Remain Alert Amid Heavy Rainfall in Maharashtra

CM Reviews Rainfall Situation Across the State

Mumbai, Aug 2025 : Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis today reviewed the rainfall situation across Maharashtra at the State Disaster Management Cell in Mantralaya.

Present during the review meeting were Disaster Management Minister Girish Mahajan, IT Minister Adv. Ashish Shelar, Chief Secretary Rajesh Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary (Water Resources) Deepak Kapoor, Additional Chief Secretary (Disaster Management) Sonia Sethi, Principal Secretary (Agriculture) Vikashchandra Rastogi, Secretary (PWD) Sanjay Dashpute, along with senior officials. All Divisional Commissioners and District Collectors joined the meeting through video conferencing.

During the meeting, divisional commissioners presented rainfall updates from their respective regions. Ratnagiri, Raigad, and Hingoli districts have received heavy rainfall, while the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a warning of very heavy rainfall between August 17 and 21. The Chief Minister instructed authorities to remain on high alert in the coming days.

Over the past two days, seven people have lost their lives in rain-related incidents across the state. Several rivers in the Konkan region have crossed danger levels, and Jalgaon has reported significant damage. The CM said the state government is in continuous contact with Karnataka regarding the Almatti dam. Although there is currently no immediate danger, all agencies have been asked to stay vigilant. He further directed special attention towards Vishnupuri while noting that the situation in Mukhed is under control.

In Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar division, 800 villages have been affected, while administration in South Gadchiroli remains on alert. Conditions in Akola, Chandur Railway, Mehkar, and Washim are gradually returning to normal. In Vidarbha, preliminary estimates suggest that crops over 2 lakh hectares have been damaged.

In Mumbai, 170 mm of rain was recorded within just eight hours since morning. Waterlogging has affected traffic at two locations, but railways, metro, and other transport services are functioning smoothly. The CM emphasized that the next 10–12 hours are crucial for Mumbai and directed the administration to exercise utmost caution. Local administrations and municipal bodies have been given the authority to declare school holidays depending on tomorrow’s weather forecast.

Issuing an appeal to citizens, the CM urged people to take SMS alerts seriously, follow instructions carefully, and ensure personal safety. He clarified that emergency funds and powers have already been delegated at the local level, so citizens need not rush to Mantralaya for urgent assistance.

Fadnavis also directed officials to conduct proper assessments (panchnamas) of house collapses for relief aid, establish advance coordination with neighboring states before danger levels rise, deploy police vigilance at tourist spots, activate agencies in landslide-prone areas, and ensure adequate arrangements for food, clean drinking water, and blankets at relief shelters.