Kolhapur flood: 51,000 affected

Kolhapur: The flood situation following incessant rains in western Maharashtra's Kolhapur continued to remain grim on Wednesday, affecting nearly 51,000 people and 200 villages and submerging over 340 bridges, officials said.

Five rescue teams of the Navy were mobilised to provide assistance to those affected by heavy rains in Kolhapur and Sangli, a defence spokesperson said. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis reviewed the flood situation in various parts of the state and directed the authorities concerned to make adequate arrangements of food, drinking water and other essential items for those affected. "Around 204 villages out of total 1,234 in Kolhapur have been affected due to the floods. Total 11,000 families, comprising nearly 51,000 individuals, are affected and 15,000 people have been shifted to safer places," Kolhapur's resident deputy collector Sanjay Shinde said. "Besides, 342 bridges have gone underwater and are closed for vehicular movement. Around 29 state highways and 56 main roads have also been shut.