Maharashtra: Sombre Eid after deluge in Kolhapur

Muslims in flood-ravaged Sangli and Kolhapur in western Maharashtra on Monday celebrated the Eid al-Adha in a subdued manner.

Gani Ajrekar, chairman of the Muslim Boarding here, said the focus shifted from sacrificing goats to offering food and medicines to the flood victims.

"We also decided to donate money gathered for offering 'kurbani' (sacrifice) to the flood relief efforts," Ajrekar said.

"We also sought forgiveness of Allah for the nature's fury and incessant rains and floods in the region," he said.

A madrasa at Shiroli near Kolhapur opened up its doors for people stranded due to floods and gave them food and shelter.

In flood-affected Sangli, there was water-logging at the Idgah Maidan, where Muslims usually gather for the Eid prayers. As most of the ground is still under water, they instead offered prayers at the Vishrambaug area.

In Mumbai, two residents took to twitter to announce that they were throwing their doors open for Kashmiris who are stranded without money or are unable to connect with their families.

Water has started receding in flood-hit Kolhapur district and the national highway NH4, closed due to water- logging for the last six days, opened partially on Monday.

Continuous discharge of water from Almatti dam in Karnataka brought down the water level of the Panchganga river in Kolhapur where it was flowing above the danger mark.

Kolhapur and Sangli districts have been battling unprecedented floods since the last eight days following heavy rains in Konkan and western parts of the state where 40 people have lost their lives in the deluge.