Due to torrential downpours in the month of September, several districts across the state experienced severe flooding with many rivers flowing above the danger mark and several villages submerged under water. The farmers in these villages lost their crops, livestock, homes, and means of livelihood, which were swept away by the floodwaters. In view of this grave situation, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis immediately issued orders to the administration to extend every possible form of assistance to the farmers. While announcing immediate aid for the talukas (sub-districts) that had suffered extensive damage, work on the rehabilitation of flood victims was initiated on a war footing. He personally visited the flood-hit districts of the state, inspected the affected areas, and assisted the local administration in relief and rescue operations. A compensation scheme was announced for the flood-affected farmers with assurance of aid distribution before Diwali to each of them. Considering the huge damage and sufferings of the people in so many districts of the state due to this disaster, the Fadnavis government’s rising to the occasion with prompt and well-concerted relief measures and compensation has been appreciated by many quarters.
Aid Worth ₹2,215 Crore Approved; ₹1,829 Crore Distributed Across Districts
Districts such as Latur, Solapur, Hingoli, Beed, Jalna, Nanded, Dharashiv, Parbhani, and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar have been the worst-hit with several villages submerged, resulting in damage to both homes and crops in the agricultural fields, and loss of livestocks. Even the loss of human lives has occurred in some areas. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has assured the public that the government stands firmly with the flood victims during this difficult time. He further stated that immediate relief and compensation would be provided to the farmers in the affected districts, waiving all preconditions, and this assistance would be disbursed to them before Diwali. Accordingly, the state government has sanctioned a fund of ₹2,200 crore for immediate relief operations. To date, aid amounting to ₹2,215 crore has been sanctioned for 31.64 lakh farmers, of which ₹1,829 crore has already been distributed to the district administrations. This amount will be deposited directly into the farmers’ bank accounts in the coming days. The state government has commenced providing assistance from its own treasury even before receiving aid from the Central Government. The Central Government is expected to provide financial assistance based on the assessed requirements.
Relaxation in the Aid Criteria for the Farmers
The criteria for government assistance have been relaxed to ensure that all affected farmers across the state receive relief and compensation. The eligibility conditions previously imposed by the government during times of scarcity have now been relaxed in the areas affected by heavy rainfall and flooding. Specifically, for damages such as the collapse of wells or soil erosion, which are not covered by the Central Government’s aid, the State Government is providing additional assistance. Rapid damage assessments or ‘panchnamas’ are currently being conducted in the affected areas. In regions where physical access is not possible, assessments conducted using drones will be acceptable. The government has further announced that damages may also be documented and recorded using photographs captured on mobile phones.
CM in Direct Contact with Flood-Affected District Collectors
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has periodically reviewed the situation by maintaining direct contact with the District Collectors of various flood-affected districts, local administration officials, and officers from the Relief and Rehabilitation Department. He has issued orders to immediately arrange for fodder, food, water, and healthcare facilities in the flood-hit areas. In several locations, teams from the NDRF and SDRF have conducted rescue operations, and thousands of people have been evacuated to safe locations. Relief camps have been established in numerous places, where all essential supplies and amenities are being provided. Meanwhile, the State Government has announced several long-term measures to prevent the recurrence of such flooding incidents. For instance, flood-protection walls and barrages will be constructed in Aurad Shahjani to minimise the risk of flooding. Some existing barrages will be repaired and equipped with modern gates. Additionally, approval has been granted for various road infrastructure projects, including the construction of a new bridge over the Terna River in Ujani.
Solapur District
In Solapur district, while 4,002 people were rescued from flood-affected areas, 6,500 people took shelter in relief camps, with food, water, and healthcare facilities provided to them. Additionally, aid was delivered to villages in need of food supplies through various organizations. The process of conducting assessments or ‘panchnamas’ for damaged houses is currently underway on a large scale and financial assistance to flood victims @ ₹10,000 in cash per household, in addition to 10 kg of rice and 10 kg of wheat are being provided as emergency relief.
Hingoli District
In Hingoli district, rainfall caused damage across approximately 23 administrative blocks (mandals). Connectivity was restored in 10 villages. Now that the water levels have receded, the situation in the district is showing signs of improvement. Funds amounting to ₹231.27 crore have been allocated for distribution within the district. Meanwhile, financial assistance has been provided to the families of the 13 victims of this flood. Assistance has been extended to some of those who lost their livestock, while efforts to provide aid to the remaining affected individuals are currently in progress.
Parbhani District
On September 23 and 24, floods severed connectivity to 36 villages in Parbhani district. Subsequently, flood-like conditions re-emerged in approximately 17 villages. During this period, 1,386 people were evacuated to safer locations. Since June, the district has recorded a total of six deaths due to flood; financial assistance has been provided to all these bereaved families. Furthermore, financial aid is also being extended to the owners of the 203 houses that sustained damage.
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar District
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district recorded an average rainfall of 818.5 mm. on Sptember 27 and 28. This resulted in floods across approximately 68 revenue circles. Consequently, 133 permanent and 291 semi-permanent (kachcha) houses collapsed. Relief operations are currently underway to assist the affected residents. People from Paithan were evacuated to schools and welfare offices.
Beed District
In Beed district, 17 dams were filled to 100% capacity, while two dams were up to 90% full. Due to heavy rainfall, communication links were severed in several villages in Vadwani Taluka; however, essential aid was successfully delivered to these areas. Teams from the NDRF and the Indian Army stationed in Beed rescued numerous individuals. The heavy monsoon activity resulted in intense rainfall across approximately 48 revenue circles. While 2,567 families have been safely evacuated, 10 lives were lost. Financial assistance has been provided to eight of the bereaved families.
Nanded District
In Nanded district, heavy rainfall occurred across 23 revenue circles on September 27 and across 13 circles on September 28. A flood-like situation developed in the catchment areas of the Godavari, Manjara, and Manyad rivers. Sixty-seven people were safely rescued. In Nanded, 304 individuals were accommodated in relief camps, while 120 people were housed in relief camps located in Loha. All necessary amenities were provided to them at these relief camps. A total of 16 such relief camps were established. 56 houses were collapsed and immediate assistance was provided to the affected households.
Dharashiv District
6 villages in Dharashiv district were cut off; approximately 3,615 people were evacuated from these villages to safer locations. 88 houses have collapsed in this district, Immediate assistance is being provided to those affected.
Jalna District
Heavy rainfall was recorded across nearly 26 administrative blocks (Mandals) in Jalna district. Out of the district’s 51 water projects, 48 were overflowing. A total of 225 residents from Bhoipur, Arjunnagar, Lalbagh, and Khandsari were evacuated to safe locations, while 52 individuals were rescued from flood-affected areas. Since June, 9 deaths have occurred in the district due to rain-related incidents; financial assistance has been extended to 7 of the bereaved families.
Banks Ordered to Halt Loan Recovery!
Despite the severe hardships faced by farmers across the state, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis received complaints that despite the severe hardships faced by the farmers, certain banks were issuing loan recovery notices to these farmers. Taking immediate cognizance of the matter, he issued orders to banks to immediately suspend loan recovery proceedings against farmers affected by the disaster. Meanwhile, food grain packets were distributed on an urgent basis to those farmers who have suffered the most extensive damage. The government stands firmly by the farmers to overcome this crisis; farmers need not worry—we are with you. Farmers are being reassured that every possible assistance will be extended to them.
The speed, sensitivity, and concrete action plan demonstrated by the state government in the wake of this natural calamity are providing the needed relief to distressed farmers. The government is taking significant steps to ensure the disaster affected farmers’ rehabilitation. To deal with any type of calamities in future, the government will be ready with even more robust aid schemes. Special planning is currently underway by the government to this end.
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