Mumbai: The Maharashtra government has stepped up its monsoon disaster response, placing all emergency agencies on high alert as heavy rainfall continues to affect several districts. Rescue operations are underway on a war footing at Moshi in Pune district, where people were trapped after a building-related accident.
According to the State Disaster Management Department, nine people have been rescued safely, while one injured person has been evacuated. At the time of the incident, 23 people were inside the building. Five residents on the upper floors managed to escape on their own, one person died, and rescue teams continue efforts to safely evacuate the remaining occupants. Disaster Management Minister Girish Mahajan visited the accident site late on Wednesday night to review the ongoing operations.
With the threat of heavy rainfall, floods, landslides, strong winds, and other natural disasters during the monsoon, the state government has activated a coordinated disaster management mechanism involving district administrations, police, fire services, health authorities, and the National and State Disaster Response Forces (NDRF and SDRF). Rescue efforts in flood-hit areas of Pune and Palghar have helped save several lives.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis chaired a review meeting at the State Emergency Operations Centre to assess the rain-related situation across Maharashtra. Principal Secretary of the Disaster Management Department, Vinita Ved Singhal, briefed the Chief Minister on the ongoing response measures.
The government has prioritised evacuation of residents from vulnerable locations, continuous rescue and relief operations, and round-the-clock functioning of emergency control rooms. Citizens have also been urged to remain alert, avoid rumours, and strictly follow official advisories.
Heavy Rainfall Tests Emergency Response
The state has witnessed exceptionally heavy rainfall in recent days. Mumbai recorded 882 mm of rainfall at Colaba and 988 mm at Santacruz over six days nearly 42% of the city’s annual average rainfall. Rainfall during the first six days of July has already exceeded the month’s average. Strong winds of 50–75 kmph and high tides exceeding four metres further aggravated the situation.
Chief Minister Fadnavis informed the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly that despite these challenging weather conditions, various government agencies responded effectively and ensured timely rescue operations.
Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Ajit Pawar visited the Pune District Collector’s Control Room to review the flood situation and directed officials to implement immediate relief measures.
Flood Monitoring Across Districts
In Palghar district, where heavy rainfall has inundated several villages and disrupted normal life, Disaster Management Minister Girish Mahajan toured flood-affected areas, including Jawhar and Manor, to inspect rescue and relief work.
Women and Child Development Minister Aditi Tatkare also reviewed the flood situation in Raigad, Ratnagiri, and other affected districts at the State Emergency Operations Centre.
In Thane district, prompt action by the administration prevented a potential disaster in Bhaskar Nagar, Kalwa East, where water flowing down a hill threatened nearby houses. District Collector Dr. Shrikrishna Panchal personally inspected the site and directed immediate preventive measures. Authorities confirmed that no houses collapsed and no casualties or property damage were reported.
Meanwhile, to ensure public safety during the monsoon season, prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 have been imposed at major tourist destinations in Pune district’s Maval taluka until August 31, 2026, to regulate tourist movement and prevent accidents.
Although the intensity of natural disasters cannot be controlled, the Maharashtra government’s coordinated response has significantly accelerated rescue operations and strengthened public safety across the state.
