Maharashtra Faces Escalating Rain Fury: Death Toll Hits 8, Hundreds Evacuated, CM Warns Next 48 Hours Critical

Relentless Monsoon Downpours Trigger Landslides, Floods, and Emergency Responses Across Maharashtra

Maharashtra is grappling with severe monsoon disruptions as relentless heavy rainfall continues to cause devastation statewide. The situation grew grimmer with the death of a 75-year-old woman in Raigad district following a landslide that struck her home on the morning of August 19, 2025. Identified as Vitha Motiram Gaikar, she was one of eight victims in rain-related incidents over the past two days.

The landslide occurred in Mithekhar village, Murud tehsil, where local officials including the tehsildar and disaster management teams quickly rushed to mount rescue and relief operations. Residents living in vulnerable, landslide-prone areas have been urged to remain vigilant and prepare for possible evacuations.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, overseeing the crisis, remarked that the next 48 hours will be crucial for districts including Mumbai, Thane, Raigad, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg. Authorities have heightened flood monitoring, ordered evacuations from low-lying and high-risk zones, and intensified deployment of rescue teams.

In Nanded district alone, more than 290 people have been rescued from flood-ravaged villages, with State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and Army personnel actively engaged in relief. Numerous roads and transportation routes remain disrupted due to waterlogging and landslides.

Meteorologists attribute the heavy and persistent rains to an active low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal combined with strengthened southwest monsoon winds. Senior India Meteorological Department (IMD) scientist S D Sanap explained, “A trough stretching from north Konkan towards Kerala has activated intense rainfall over coastal and central Maharashtra, including the Western Ghats. While Konkan and central Maharashtra face heavy precipitation, other parts currently receive moderate showers.”

The IMD has issued continued heavy rainfall advisories with orange alerts in zone Marathwada and Vidarbha, though some easing is expected later in the week. Meanwhile, affected river basins at Kolhapur, Washim, and Gadchiroli are witnessing unprecedented surges.

In particular, dams such as Radhanagari and Chandoli are releasing substantial amounts of water, causing downstream rivers like the Bhogavati and Warna to overflow. The Panchganga River near Kolhapur has crossed danger mark levels for the fifth time this season, prompting local authorities to issue warnings and evacuations.

The overflowing Perlkota River in Gadchiroli has isolated over 50 villages of Bhamragad taluka, cutting off essential connections along major highways. A tragic incident was reported when a 19-year-old from Kodpe village was swept away attempting to cross a swollen stream.

Raigad’s Roha taluka recorded nearly 160mm of rainfall on August 18 alone, with rivers such as Kundalika and Savitri flowing above critical levels. Disruptions caused by landslides and flooding have led to school and college holidays being declared in affected areas to keep residents safe.

Authorities continue to urge citizens to avoid unnecessary travel and remain indoors in vulnerable zones. Joint operations from SDRF, NDRF, and the Army are ongoing, with rivers under surveillance for further rises that could exacerbate flooding.

The situation remains fluid as Maharashtra braces for continued heavy rains over the next few days, with disaster management officials warning that preparedness and public cooperation are essential to minimize the impact.