Heavy rainfall has wreaked havoc across Maharashtra over the past three days, from September 27 to 29, leaving at least 11 people dead and forcing mass evacuations in several districts. The downpour, which has triggered severe flooding, has prompted an urgent response from state disaster management authorities as rivers swelled and infrastructure collapsed under the pressure of incessant rains.
According to the State Disaster Management Authority, multiple flood-related incidents were reported. On September 29, three people lost their lives, including two in Ahilya Nagar and one in Nanded, after being swept away by floodwaters. The previous day, five deaths were recorded, two in Ahilya Nagar and one in Nashik due to house collapses, while Jalna and Yavatmal also reported casualties linked to the floods. On September 27, lightning strikes added to the toll, claiming two lives in Wardha and one in Nanded.
The scale of the crisis has been massive, with over 41,000 residents evacuated from flood-hit and low-lying areas. Districts including Solapur, Jalna, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, and Dharashiv remain among the worst affected. Rainfall levels have been extreme, with Talasari in Palghar district recording the highest at 208 mm. Mumbai and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar also faced heavy showers, receiving 120.8 mm and 110.3 mm respectively in a single day.
One of the most alarming developments was the record discharge of three lakh cusecs from the Jayakwadi Dam on September 28, which resulted in widespread flooding in Paithan. Officials confirmed it was the highest-ever release from the dam. The state’s infrastructure has taken a severe beating, with a national highway bridge between Bhamragad and Perlkot submerged, 60 roads shut down in Latur, and several villages cut off. In Mojhe Narayanpur and Dev Takali alone, 37 people have been stranded due to waterlogging.
The India Meteorological Department has issued red and orange alerts for several districts, warning of continued heavy rainfall. Rescue and relief operations are underway, with the Indian Air Force deploying helicopters for aerial evacuations. Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) are working around the clock to assist stranded residents and provide relief materials.
Authorities have also leaned heavily on technology to warn citizens, sending over 8.4 crore SMS alerts in the past week to inform people of rising river levels and looming flood threats. Despite these efforts, the disaster has left widespread devastation across Maharashtra, highlighting both the unpredictability of extreme weather and the urgent need for robust disaster preparedness.
