Yellow alert for rain, lightning in Maharashtra from September 22 to 25

The monsoon is showing renewed intensity in Maharashtra even as it withdraws. The Mumbai Meteorological Centre has said that thunder, lightning, stormy winds and rain will continue in several parts of the state from September 22 to 25. In view of this, the weather department has issued a yellow alert in dozens of districts across the state and asked people to stay alert.

According to the weather department, several areas of central Maharashtra, Konkan, Marathwada and Vidarbha face a risk of strong winds along with lightning strikes during these four days, and the administration has appealed to people to take the alert seriously.

On September 22, a yellow alert is in force in Nashik, Nashik Ghat, Ahilyanagar, Thane, Raigad, Pune Ghat, Pune, Satara, Satara Ghat, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, Kolhapur, Kolhapur Ghat, Sangli, Solapur, Beed, Dharashiv, Latur, Nanded, Parbhani, Hingoli, Yavatmal, Chandrapur, Wardha, Nagpur, Gondia, Bhandara and Gadchiroli districts.

Nearly the same districts are on the list for September 23 as well, with Jalna, Washim, Buldhana, Akola and Amravati added, while Thane is not included this day. In all, the yellow alert on September 23 covers Nashik, Nashik Ghat, Ahilyanagar, Raigad, Pune Ghat, Pune, Satara, Satara Ghat, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, Kolhapur, Kolhapur Ghat, Sangli, Solapur, Beed, Dharashiv, Latur, Nanded, Jalna, Parbhani, Washim, Buldhana, Akola, Hingoli, Amravati, Yavatmal, Chandrapur, Wardha, Nagpur, Gondia, Bhandara and Gadchiroli.

The list of alert districts shrinks somewhat for September 24, covering Satara, Satara Ghat, Sindhudurg, Kolhapur, Kolhapur Ghat, Latur, Nanded, Jalna, Parbhani, Washim, Buldhana, Akola, Hingoli, Amravati, Yavatmal, Chandrapur, Wardha, Nagpur, Gondia, Bhandara and Gadchiroli.

By September 25, the alert narrows further to Washim, Buldhana, Akola, Hingoli, Amravati, Yavatmal, Chandrapur, Wardha, Nagpur, Gondia, Bhandara and Gadchiroli districts.

In view of this alert, the local administration and disaster management department have asked people to take special precautions. People have been advised not to take shelter under open fields, trees or iron poles during lightning. Electronic devices such as televisions, refrigerators and mobile phones on charge should be switched off during rain and lightning. Extra caution has also been advised while driving on ghat roads and waterlogged stretches. Farmers have been advised to cover harvested crops lying in the fields and keep them in a safe place to prevent damage from rain.