Maharashtra: 'Orange' Alert For Heavy Rainfall In Coastal Districts On Sunday — Details

IMD issued an 'orange' alert for Sunday, warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated locations in the Maharashtra districts of Palghar, Thane, Raigad, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg.

Motorists drive through a waterlogged road after a heavy monsoon rainfall in Mumbai. (Representational Image) ( Image Source :Getty )

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Saturday (July 22) issued an 'orange' alert for Sunday (July 23), warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated locations in the Maharashtra districts of Palghar, Thane, Raigad, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg. Residents and authorities in these coastal districts are urged to be cautious, as heavy rains could cause flooding and waterlogging in low-lying areas. Precautionary measures are advised to ensure residents' safety and to minimise the potential damage caused by the heavy downpour.

IAF Roped In For Rescue As 45 People Stranded In Yavatmal Due To Floods

Amid heavy rainfall in Mahagaon taluka of Maharashtra's Yavatmal district, 45 people find themselves stranded in floods. To aid in their rescue, two Indian Air Force helicopters have been engaged, according to an official statement on Saturday.

The torrential rains have inundated many houses in Yavatmal, forcing residents to seek shelter on higher ground. Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister, tweeted about the situation, specifically mentioning Anandnagar village in Mahagaon taluka, where 45 people are stranded.

According to a PTI report, the helicopters are scheduled to arrive in Nagpur shortly before heading to Mahagaon for the rescue mission. As the situation develops, district officials have reported that Yavatmal City, too, has been experiencing heavy rainfall since Friday night, resulting in flooding of houses and roads in some areas, the report said. 

Residents from affected areas have been relocated to safer areas, and the situation in the city is being closely monitored, according to the report which cited Yavatmal collector Amol Yedge.

Wing Commander Ratnakar Singh, the Defence Public Relations Officer (PRO) for Nagpur, confirmed that a Mi-17 V5 helicopter is being dispatched from Nagpur to evacuate the stranded people in Yavatmal, it said. 

According to the collector, a rescue team from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) is en route to Mahagaon and will begin the rescue operation in Anandnagar village.