Heavy rain forecast for Maharashtra during Ganeshotsav, yellow alert in 30 districts

The monsoon has become active again in Maharashtra, with the weather department issuing an important forecast for the next two days across the state's districts. Heavy to moderate rain is expected in several areas on September 12 and 13, and people have been urged to stay alert.

According to the weather department, on September 12 most places in North Konkan, North Central Maharashtra and Marathwada are likely to see moderate rain with strong winds. Light to moderate rain is also expected in South Central Maharashtra and the South Konkan-Goa region. A yellow alert has been issued for 30 districts of the state for that day.

The districts under the yellow alert are Palghar, Thane, Mumbai, Raigad, Dhule, Nandurbar, Jalgaon, Nashik, the Nashik ghat area, Ahilyanagar, Pune, the Pune ghat area, Solapur, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Jalna, Parbhani, Beed, Hingoli, Nanded, Latur, Dharashiv, Akola, Amravati, Bhandara, Buldhana, Chandrapur, Gadchiroli, Gondia, Nagpur, Wardha, Washim and Yavatmal.

Rain is expected to intensify further on September 13. Most places in Konkan-Goa, North Central Maharashtra and Marathwada could see moderate to heavy rain with strong winds. Light to moderate rain is also forecast in South Central Maharashtra. The weather department has issued an orange alert for some select districts that day, while a yellow alert continues for others.

On September 13, an orange alert has been issued for Dhule, Nandurbar and the Nashik ghat area. Meanwhile, Palghar, Thane, Raigad, Mumbai, Ratnagiri, Jalgaon, Nashik, Ahilyanagar, Pune, the Pune ghat area, Satara, the Satara ghat area, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Jalna, Parbhani, Beed, Hingoli, Akola and Amravati have been placed under a yellow alert.

This rain, accompanied by strong winds, is feared to damage crops, and there is also a risk of waterlogging in low-lying areas. Farmers and the general public have therefore been advised to take precautions. People living along riverbanks have been asked to stay alert and follow the administration's instructions.

The impact of the rain is expected to ease somewhat on September 14, with the yellow alert likely to be limited mainly to the Nashik ghat, Pune ghat, Pune, Ahilyanagar and Ratnagiri districts.

The administration has directed people to take special precautions through this period. In particular, people have been advised to avoid standing under trees during lightning and to take shelter in a safe place. The disaster management department has repeatedly urged farmers to exercise necessary caution while working in the fields.