YAVATMAL: Two elderly women died in rain-related incidents in the district which experienced heavy downpour in the last 24 hours. A man from Sawargad village in Babhulgaon tehsil was swept away.
An Indian Air Force helicopter was flown in from Nagpur to rescue 45 people from Anandnagar Bet in Mahagaon tehsil. The chopper had to land on a highway but all stranded people were rescued by NDRF, SDRF teams in boats by late evening.
Heavy rains pounded the district, particularly the urban areas, leading to flooding, and the water may not recede soon. People residing in low-lying areas and houses along the banks of nullahs were forced to take refuge at safer places in the vicinity.
In small Wadgaon area in Yavatmal city, an elderly woman died under the debris of a collapsed wall. A few kms from the spot, another elderly woman was washed away in the strong currents of Waghadi river which submerged areas along NH361. Over 50 residents of Waghadi rehabilitation colony were evacuated to safer places.
"There are no service roads along the villages on the Bori-Tuljapur stretch of NH361. The drainage system too is defective. At many places, drainage pipe are open. Rainwater accumulates in residential areas. NHAI is turning a blind eye to the problem," said Santhosh Thakre of Shyam Nagar in Kinhi village on city's outskirts.
An old couple from Kavta Bazar village in Arni tehsil stranded in the flood waters for over four hours was rescued after a team was dispatched on instructions of rehabilitation minister Anil Patil.
A total of 280 people were rescued from different places in the district and shifted to safer locations.
More than 200mm rains was reported in some tehsil where flood situation prevails. According to district collector Amol Yedge, rescue operations are going in a number of villages. Affected people and those in need of immediate help can contact helpline numbers at the collector's office: 07232-240720/240844/255077.
District guardian minister Sanjay Rathod, who was in Mumbai, told TOI that barring a few places, the flood situation is under control.
Rathod said he has instructed the revenue and agriculture departments to expedite the ongoing crop damage survey and submit the report, which should also analyze the need for re-sowing, to the government. "Top priority will be given to rehabilitation of hard-hit farmers," he said.
In Babhlgaon tehsil, the flood situation is grim after 10 gates of Bembla river dam were opened. The administration has issued red alert to people residing along the river. Deputy executive engineer Avinash Bhagat of Lower Pus project told TOI that 10 gates the dams were opened so far.
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