9 killed in rain-related incidents in Maharashtra's Marathwada region

Incessant rains and lightning have claimed nine lives in Marathwada region of Maharashtra with five killed in flash floods, officials said on 3 October.

While four persons from Jalna and Nanded districts of the region died after they were struck by lightning, the other five from Beed and Latur districts drowned in flash floods on 2 October following heavy rains, officials from Marathwada Divisional Commissionerate said.

The victims are yet to be identified. The monsoon withdrawal, which is otherwise said to be beneficial for pulses production, brought some heavy spells to Marathwada this time, causing flash floods in arid areas.

Some areas in Beed district recorded more than 100 mm rainfall on 2 October in less than 12 hours disrupting normal life. "It is a rare phenomenon. Hence, we sought the help of National Disaster Response team for evacuation and rescue operations," Navalkishor Ram, Beed District Collector said.

Also, as most of the rivers including Bindusara and Manjara have shallow beds, water is overflowing resulting in crop loss over 5-7 lakh hectares in the region. Besides, flooding has led to uprooting of crops, which has come as an irreparable loss to farmers. The IMD had predicted more rains in Maharashtra in the first week of October with low pressure formation over the Telengana region.

-PTI