Multi-agency operation to rescue people from Chiplun, Mahad

The floods are being described as worst than the one reported in 2005 and 1967

A multi-agency coordinated rescue and relief operations are underway in the flood-hit Konkan towns of Chiplun and Mahad even as a series of landslides were reported on Friday.

So far, six persons have died in the last two days in rain-related incidents in the coastal Konkan belt and the Western Maharashtra region.

The floods are being described as worse than the ones reported in 2005 and 1967.

The three big rivers of Western Maharashtra -- Panchganga in Kolhapur, Krishna in Sangli and Koyana in Satara -- are flowing above the danger mark in several areas.

Around 10,000 cusecs water is being released from the Koyna Dam, whose catchment has received heavy rainfall.

On the other hand, the Mahabaleshwar hill station in Satara has recorded 1,500 mm plus rainfall in the last three days.

The traffic on the Mumbai-Goa and Pune-Bengaluru highways have been badly affected because of the incessant rainfall, waterlogging and damage to the roads.

More than 5,000 to 6,000 persons are reported to be stranded in Chiplun in Ratnagiri district and Mahad and Raigad district. According to the latest reports, 200 to 300 plus stranded people have been rescued from the two towns.

Teams of Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, National Disaster Response Force are aiding the efforts of the Maharashtra government.

The North Konkan district of Raigad and twin South Konkan districts of Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg, Western Maharashtra districts of Kolhapur, Satara and Pune have been experiencing heavy rainfall over the past few days.

On Thursday night, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi of the ground situation.

"Units of the Navy and Army have joined the rescue and relief efforts in Ratnagiri and Raigad districts. The Air Force has started rescue work in Ratnagiri," the Chief Minister's Office said.

NDRF Director General Satya Pradhan said that some teams have reached while some are on the way.

Also read: Residents take to Twitter to seek help as rains flood Maharashtra's Chiplun town

The Mumbai-headquartered Western Naval Command has mobilised Flood Rescue Teams and helicopters to provide assistance to the State administration.

Despite adverse weather conditions and widespread inundation in affected areas, a total of seven naval rescue teams departed by road for deployment to the Ratnagiri and Raigad districts. Airlift of marooned personnel from Raigad district is also being undertaken.

One Seaking 42C Helo from INS Shikra, Mumbai departed for Rescue at Poladpur/Raigad during early morning hours.

The naval Flood Rescue Teams are fully self-sustained and equipped with Gemini rubber boats, loud hailers, first aid kits, life jackets and lifebuoys. These rescue teams also include specialist Naval Divers and diving equipment.

Additional Flood Rescue Teams are being maintained on a high degree of readiness at Mumbai, for immediate development, should the need arise.