Maharashtra: Seven people fall into the Krishna river near Kolhapur

Seven people fell into the Krishna river after the tractor overturned while crossing the River in Ichalkaranji in Maharashtras Kolhapur district on FridayAccording to the National Disaster Response Force NDRF five people have been evacuated while two are still missingThe seven people onboard the tractor got swept away in the stream after the tractor trolley overturnedAt Akiwat Taluka Shirol District Kolhapur 7 persons fell into the river after the tractortrolley overturned into it 5 people have already been evacuated by civilians and 2 persons are still missing NDRF saidSoon after getting the information the NDRF team stationed at Shirol moved to the location to conduct a search and rescue operationThe local authorities have already reached the spot NDRF said A search operation is underwayFurther details are awaitedSeveral regions in Maharashtra are currently facing continuous heavy rainfall leading to severe waterlogging and extensive traffic snarls in many citiesKolhapur floods CM asks District Magistrate to extend all possible assistance to localsMaharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde discussed the rainfall and flood situation in Kolhapur with District Magistrate Amol Yedge and directed him to immediately provide relief to those affected in flood He said that if the need arises more teams of National Disaster Response Force NDRF and State Disaster Response Force SDRF should be sent to Kolhapur The Army must also be roped if needed the CM directed the District Magistrate He further instructed the administration to plan the discharge of water from Almatti Dam in coordination with the Karnataka administrationShinde is in New Delhi to attend the Niti Aayog meeting Before leaving for Delhi he spoke to Yedge on phone and discussed about the situation in Kolhapur and on the relief and rescue operationsThe Panchganga river is flowing above the danger mark and there is a possibility of further increase in the water level in the dam following yesterdays incessant rain Keeping this in view CM Shinde asked the administration to be on alert on the ground He further said that the residents who face danger owing to the rising water levels should be evacuated to safety and must be provided all the facilities in the shelter homes He also said that two teams of NDRF and a team of Indian Army have been pressed into service for assistance in this period CM Shinde directed officials to be in continuous contact with the Almatti dam administration regarding the discharge of water and take necessary action to prevent any untoward incident He added that people should be alerted about the water discharge to ensure that they do not have to face hardshipsThe Kolhapur District Administration has already relocated 5849 people from 1379 families from the floodaffected areas Of these 5116 people are from the Karveer Tahsil alone Around 3080 domestic animals have also been taken to safe places by the administrationA total of 54 roads including 10 state highways have been closed for traffic The administrations daily report also mentioned the partial damage to more than 200 houses but no casualties have been reported till nowEarlier in the day District Guardian Minister Hasan Mushrif held a review meeting with the senior officials of the district administration and instructed them to give all the possible help and support to the people He also appealed to the residents not to panic in this situation as all arrangements are in placePeople must cooperate with officials in relocating themselves on time he saidWith inputs from ANI and PTI