20 hours ago
Search on for missing woman in Nanded
The search continued on Wednesday for the missing woman who was swept away along with several others by the flash floods in Nanded district following incessant rain. Officials said although the chances of her survival are slim, the search for Afrin Sheikh (30) continued with rains subsiding and water receding from most parts of Ardhrapur taluka of the district.
Afrin was one of four persons who was swept away when gushing waters from Lendi barrage submerged the Dharaknal bridge in Ardhrapur. They were on the bridge when floodwaters swept away the car and the autorickshaw they were travelling in.
Bodies of three others, Mehboob Sheikh (32), Hasina Abdul Pasha (32) and Shamina Sheikh (45), have been found. Mehboob was a resident of Deglur taluka in Nanded while the other three were from Telangana.
Relief and rescue operations continued for the second day with Minister Girish Mahajan promising quick panchnamas and relief for the flood-affected. More than 300 people were moved from three villages to higher ground.
On Wednesday, the rains subsided with floodwaters also receding. Nanded district collector Rahul Kardile said 300 cattle was lost in the flood. 'The primary crop damage is over 2.5 lakh hectares,' he said, adding the army team has been sent back. Relatives of the deceased have been paid ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh each.
The Lendi barrage is an interstate irrigation project between Telangana and Maharashtra. The barrage is expected to be completed by next year.
