Gujarat and Maharashtra are reeling under the impact of intense monsoon rains, leaving thousands of villages submerged and critical infrastructure damaged. Authorities reported that over 3,000 villages across both states have been affected, with 104 fatalities recorded in Maharashtra alone. In Gujarat, strong winds and persistent rainfall caused highways to submerge and Garba pandals to collapse, intensifying the crisis.
The National Disaster Management Authority confirmed extensive infrastructure damage, with more than 2,700 km of roads and 1,500 bridges washed away in Maharashtra. Educational and health facilities were not spared, as 1,064 schools and 352 health centres suffered damage, alongside 58 government buildings. The Marathwada region has been the worst hit, with Nanded reporting the highest casualties at 28, followed by Sambhajinagar with 17, and Beed at 16.
In Gujarat, the Dwarka-Kalyanpur highway has been rendered impassable after floodwaters washed away a section of the road. Vehicles were reported swept off, while multiple houses in Valsad and Navsari districts sustained severe damage. Garba pandals in Vadodara collapsed under heavy rains and gusty winds, underscoring the vulnerability of temporary structures during extreme weather events.
Experts from the Indian Meteorological Department have issued heavy rainfall alerts for Gujarat and Karnataka, with lighter rains predicted across Madhya Pradesh and neighbouring states. Officials emphasised that the monsoon is expected to retreat gradually by October 15, but localised flooding may persist until water recedes in affected regions.To mitigate the disruption caused by floods, the Maharashtra State Board has extended deadlines for Class 12 form submissions from September 30 to October 20. Relief and rescue operations are ongoing, with disaster response teams focusing on evacuating residents from vulnerable low-lying areas and restoring damaged transport links.
Officials warned that the heavy rainfall and flooding highlight the urgent need for improved urban drainage, sustainable infrastructure, and resilient disaster management frameworks. Experts stress integrating eco-friendly and equitable city planning to minimise future climate-induced risks.As the monsoon slowly retreats, the immediate focus remains on rehabilitation, repair of damaged infrastructure, and providing humanitarian support to affected communities, with long-term strategies aimed at reducing vulnerabilities to future climate events.
