Marathwada, Maharashtra’s drought-prone heartland, is reeling under its heaviest rainfall in over 50 years. In just four days of relentless downpour, eight lives have been lost and 159 villages in Dharashiv district flooded.
The destruction is widespread: over 750 houses damaged, 186 cattle perished, and 33,000 hectares of farmland destroyed. Infrastructure has also taken a severe hit, with three bridges collapsing in Jalna and Beed, two schools damaged in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, and five small dams breached.
State Disaster Management Minister Girish Mahajan called the situation “very grim,” noting the unprecedented rainfall and large-scale crop losses. Agriculture Minister Dattatray Bharne added that 63.51 lakh acres of farmland across Maharashtra have been devastated.
Authorities were forced to release water from Jayakwadi and Majalgaon dams, worsening flooding in Jalna, Beed, and Sambhajinagar. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis confirmed that NDRF teams rescued 27 people in Dharashiv, while 200 residents were shifted to safety.
Marathwada has received 28.5% excess rainfall since June 1, with Dharashiv recording nearly 150% above normal levels. The state government has announced ₹2,215 crore in relief for farmers, though opposition parties demand faster compensation.