Date:28/07/2005 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/07/28/stories/2005072802450900.htm

Back Death toll at 99; property worth Rs 500 cr damaged

Our Bureau

Mumbai , July 27

THE heavy rains killed 99 people and destroyed property worth Rs 500 crore in the State, the Chief Minister, Mr Vilasrao Deshmukh, said.

He said the death toll could go up and details of the damage to properties are yet to be known.

The Chief Minster said it is feared that more than 150 have been trapped in Jui village in Raigad district under a landslide. They are mostly feared dead, but confirmation is awaited.

Forty five people have been killed in Raigad district, 22 in Mumbai, 16 in Navi Mumbai, eight in Thane, six in Ratnagiri and two in Beed district, he said.

Mr Deshmukh said the previous record for the highest rainfall had been 370 mm, but in the last 24 hours it has rained 995 mm.

Between 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday and 2.30 a.m. on Wednesday, there was 876 mm of rainfall. Such heavy downpour has no parallel in the last 50 years of metrological record.

The army has mobilised 5,000 soldiers to carry out relief work all over Maharashtra. The rains have affected more than 40,000 in Maharashtra. In Mumbai alone, 10,000 people have been affected.

In Kalina area of Mumbai, the Navy dropped three small boats by helicopter to rescue people.

People have been advised not to venture out of their houses or use their vehicles. There is a forecast of more turbulent weather ahead, the Chief Minster said.