Speaker asks Thackeray about controlling nature
Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar on Wednesday questioned former minister Aaditya Thackeray over the state's rain fury, asking if he could control an act of God. The sharp exchange came as heavy rains continued to batter Mumbai, Pune and other parts of Maharashtra, causing widespread disruption.
Rain impact: deaths, waterlogging, transport chaos
Over the past few days, relentless downpour has led to multiple tree falls, waterlogging in low-lying areas, and at least a dozen fatalities across the state. Road traffic crawled, suburban train services were delayed, and several flights were diverted or cancelled at Mumbai airport. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for Mumbai and surrounding districts for the next 48 hours, predicting extremely heavy rainfall.
Political sparring over preparedness
During a debate in the Assembly, Aaditya Thackeray criticized the state government's handling of the monsoon crisis, alleging lack of preparedness and poor drainage systems. In response, Speaker Narwekar retorted, “Can you control an act of God? Instead of playing politics, we should focus on relief measures.” Thackeray countered by citing previous successful flood management under the Uddhav Thackeray-led government, which he claimed had better coordination with civic bodies.
Rescue and relief operations underway
According to the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), over 500 people have been evacuated from flooded areas in Pune and Raigad districts. National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams have been deployed in Kolhapur and Sangli, where river levels are rising. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh each to the families of those who lost their lives in rain-related incidents.
Schools closed, citizens advised to stay indoors
Authorities have declared a holiday for all schools and colleges in Mumbai, Thane, and Pune on Thursday as a precautionary measure. Citizens have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel and stay away from coastal areas. The IMD has warned of possible landslides in the Western Ghats and flooding in low-lying regions.
