Incessant rains, flash floods leave at least 20 dead in Maharashtra

Incessant rains and flash floods have left at least 20 people dead in Maharashtra's Chandrapur district.

In the rescue efforts, thousands of people in the low-lying areas of region have been evacuated to safer places.

"In the city we have relocated 5204 people to safe places till now. 2251 people are in relief camps and the rest of them have taken shelter with their relatives. In the villages we have relocated 3155 people," said District Collector of Chandrapur, Deepak Mhaisekar.

"40 members of the National Disaster Response Force have been called. And we are stationing them at two places - some in Rajora and some in this area. If they are needed in the cities, then they will go and undertake rescue operation and Rajora's team will work in other areas," Mhaisekar added.

Warning has been issued to those living in low-lying areas as water from Gosikhurd dam in Bhandara district continues to be released into river Wainganga which is in spate.