Fadnavis Orders All-State Alert As Heavy Rain Batters Maharashtra

CM reviews disaster control, warns next 72 hours critical for Konkan, Mumbai and Vidarbha

Mumbai, August 18 – Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday chaired a high-level review meeting at the State Disaster Management Cell as heavy rains lashed parts of the state, leaving seven people dead in the last two days and damaging crops and infrastructure.

The meeting was attended by Disaster Management Minister Girish Mahajan, Minister of State Adv. Ashish Shelar, Chief Secretary Rajesh Kumar, senior secretaries from Water Resources, Agriculture, Public Works and Disaster Management departments, and district collectors who joined via video conference.

Konkan, Vidarbha Face Maximum Impact

According to divisional commissioners, Ratnagiri, Raigad and Hingoli districts have received excessive rainfall, with the India Meteorological Department warning of heavy downpours between August 17–21. In Konkan, several rivers crossed danger levels, while Jalgaon reported extensive damage.

In Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar division, 800 villages have been affected, while South Gadchiroli remains under watch. In Vidarbha, preliminary estimates show 2 lakh hectares of crops damaged. Districts like Akola, Washim, Chandoor Railway and Mehkar are slowly returning to normal.

The Chief Minister confirmed that constant coordination is being maintained with Karnataka over water levels at Almatti Dam. “There is no immediate threat, but the administration must remain fully alert,” Fadnavis stressed.

Mumbai On High Alert

Mumbai recorded 170 mm rainfall in just 8 hours on Monday morning, leading to waterlogging at two key junctions and minor traffic disruptions. Railways, metro and other transport services remained largely unaffected.

Fadnavis warned that the next 10–12 hours would be crucial for Mumbai, directing local authorities to take all preventive measures. He also empowered municipal corporations and district administrations to decide on school closures based on weather forecasts.

Directives To Citizens And Authorities

The Chief Minister issued fresh instructions:

• SMS alerts must mention the exact time and should be taken seriously by citizens.
• Panchanamas for collapsed houses must be conducted properly to ensure relief reaches victims.
• Local authorities already have funds and powers for emergency relief; citizens need not rush to the Secretariat.
• Police must monitor tourist spots, and machinery should be active in landslide-prone areas.
• Relief shelters must have adequate food, clean drinking water and blankets.

Fadnavis urged citizens to remain vigilant: “Take every alert seriously, safeguard yourselves and rely on local administration for immediate assistance.”