Nanded rains latest UPDATES: Water from Karnataka reach district; Indian Army, SDRF deployed for rescue missions as villagers trapped

Amid heavy rains across Maharashtra, Nanded district also witnessed showers on Monday, forcing the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue a "Yellow Alert". District officials reached out to the Indian Army for rescue and relief operations as more than 200 people have been trapped due to the heavy showers across various villages of Nanded, news reports said.

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According to the IMD, heavy rains are likely to continue in Nanded at least until Tuesday, August 19. Meanwhile, reports suggest that a cloudburst in Nanded has left at least five people missing. The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) on Sunday rescued 21 people trapped in heavy rains in Ravangaon and Hasnal villages of Mukhed taluka. The local administration has been instructed by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to remain stationed in affected areas and continue coordination until the situation stabilizes.

District Collector Rahul Kardile told news agency PTI that a unit of the Indian Army had been called in to help rescue those stranded by the floods. “A 15-member Army team will be deployed in the Mukhed area of Nanded. Water is being released from the dams. I have also spoken to the irrigation secretary of neighbouring Telangana over the phone,” he said.

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Here are the latest updates from rain-ravaged Nanded of Maharashtra:

• The water level of the Lendi dam has risen significantly. A large amount of water is flowing into the area from Latur, Udgir, and neighbouring Karnataka.

• District Collectors of Nanded, Latur, and Bidar are coordinating rescue operations. Rahul Kardile told the press that if needed, additional rescue teams stationed in Latur will be roped in to assist the rescue efforts. Further teams are awaiting orders in Hadgaon, Himayatnagar, and Kinwat.

• An NDRF team, one military unit, and a police team are working in coordination for the rescue efforts. A military unit from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar has also been dispatched, PTI confirmed.

• Villages along the Godavari basin have been put on alert. Evacuations have been carried out from the worst-hit areas, while efforts continue to move the remaining people to safer places. Eight people have been rescued from Hasnal, 20 from Bhaswadi, and 40 from Bhingeli, Money Control said in a report.