Incessant rains in the Vidarbha region of India's Maharashtra state have wreaked havoc, leading to the death of at least 16 people and around 4,500 houses damaged in the past 10 days, officials have told an Indian news agency.
The downpour has caused significant damage to farmers, as the heavy rain has ravaged approximately 54,000 hectares of agricultural land, with a staggering 53,000 hectares concentrated in Maharashtra's Amravati district.
Due to the flood-like situation, as many as 2,796 people, mostly from the Yavatmal district, have been shifted to safer places, an official said.
Maharashtra deputy chief Devendra Fadnavis told Indian media that the state government is working round the clock to tackle issues arising due to the excessive rains.
According to the Regional Meteorological Centre, Maharashtra's Akola district has experienced a massive 107.9 mm of rainfall in the past 24 hours, followed by Yavatmal with 24 mm, Wardha with 23.4 mm, Amravati with 15.6 mm, Nagpur with 6.7 mm, Gadchiroli with 3 mm, Gondia with 2.2 mm, Brahmpuri with 2.4 mm, and Buldhana with 2 mm.
Raigad Landslide
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team, which was on a search and rescue mission after a massive landslide hit Irsalvadi Village in Maharashtra's Raigad district, called off the operation on Sunday.
Shiv Sena politician Uday Samant told the Indian media that the decision was taken in consultation with the district administration and other authorities concerned, as well as locals.
So far, 27 bodies have been retrieved, while 57 remain untraceable, officials said.