Legislature adjourned over heavy rain and disaster management

Mumbai, 6 July (News) – Proceedings of the Maharashtra Legislature were adjourned for the day on 6 July following uproar over the Government’s handling of the disaster caused by heavy rainfall across the State. The Opposition accused the Government of administrative negligence and demanded an inquiry, while the Government maintained that the situation had arisen due to changing weather patterns and sought time to present a detailed statement. Following this, Legislative Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar and Legislative Council Chairman Prof Ram Shinde adjourned the proceedings of both Houses for the day.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the situation was more serious than anticipated and urged citizens to remain vigilant. He said he would present a detailed statement on the situation in the Legislature on 7 July.

“Some people believe trees should not be touched even if people die” – Girish Mahajan

After visiting the site of the Mankhurd accident, Disaster Management Minister Girish Mahajan told the Legislative Council that the unauthorised chawl settlement in Mankhurd is an extremely hazardous slum area where accidents can occur at any time. He said a detailed inquiry would be conducted into the incident.

Mahajan said that although around 750 trees fall in Mumbai every year, as many as 350 trees had been uprooted in just two days this year. Strong winds of 70 to 90 kmph had caused extensive damage. “Some people believe trees should not be touched even if people die. It is because of such a mindset that innocent lives have been lost,” he said.

He also said that three people had died in a landslide at Patan in Pune district. Government offices and schools cannot be closed every time there is heavy rain, he added. However, the Municipal Corporation has deployed personnel near manholes, and disaster management teams remain on standby.

Opposition protests on the steps of the Vidhan Bhavan

The Opposition staged a protest on the steps of the Vidhan Bhavan on 6 July after 12 people lost their lives over the previous two days in incidents involving open manholes, falling trees and the collapse of an unauthorised building in Mankhurd. Raising slogans against the Government, Opposition members demanded a high-level inquiry into the incidents and stringent action against the officials found responsible