Maharashtra rains: 10 lakh acres of cropland submerged

As incessant rains continued to batter Maharashtra for the second day in a row, over 10 lakh acres of cropland have been submerged under water, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said on Tuesday (August 19, 2025).

Mumbai rains LIVE: Red alert issued for Mumbai; schools and colleges to remain shut on August 19 in Thane and Palghar

He also said that the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is keeping a close eye on the situation in Mumbai as the water level in Mithi river has been rising. Mumbai’s Mithi river passes through Dharavi, one of the most densely populated areas in the world. In case of a substantial rise in water level, the administration has been gearing up to relocate people from around Mithi. Five team of NDRF have been stationed around the Mithi river, BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani said.

Heavy rainfall is likely in Mumbai in the next 10 to 12 hours.

“10 lakh acres of cropland has been submerged due to rains. Panchanamas will begin in two days. In Nanded, Army has come to our rescue. In Mumbai, we have appealed to people to stay indoors and to leave only if there is any emergency,” Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said after holding a review meeting at the State Disaster Control Headquarter.

Mr. Pawar that the IMD has been reporting updates to the State government every three hours. “Chief Minister will hold hold a review meeting. We are closely monitoring the situation in all the 36 districts,” he said.

Deputy Chief Minister, Eknath Shinde, visited flood affected areas. He inspected the situation in Bandra near the banks of Mithi river, as the water level started rising.

Maharashtra Minister Ashish Shelar said, “I have reviewed the situation to make sure that in case we have to relocate people from around the Mithi river, we are prepared for it. Administration has been given instructions to make sure that the suburbs of Mumbai should not face any losses.”

Palghar, Thane, Mumbai are among the districts where a red alert has been issued. Red alert has also been issued in Gadchiroli. “Many places in Maharashtra are under orange and yellow alert,” Mr. Pawar said.

NDRF teams have also been stationed in Nanded district which has faced severe losses due to rain.

Mumbai Police Commissioner Deven Bharti said, “The Mumbai Police helped several school children stuck in the rains yesterday. A holiday has been declared today. From morning, the strain on traffic is less due to a holiday. We are making sure that the emergency services continue without any interruptions. We are keeping a watch on Mithi river and have made deployment for it. Police are helping people. We are going to keep bandobast at night as well. We have created diversions wherever there is water logging.” He appealed to Mumbaikars to contact the Mumbai Police Control Room for guidance about road diversions, flooding and traffic situation.

Dada Bhuse, Education Minister said, “In view of the forecast of severe rain over the next two days, the district administration authorities have been given the right to declare a holiday as per requirement.” Schools and colleges in several districts with red alert have been shut today.