Maharashtra: Heavy rain expected in next 4-5 days; CM Shinde asks officials to stay alert

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) predicted Thursday that some districts in Maharashtra are likely to get rain squalls for the next four to five days.Some parts of the state received heavy rainfall on Wednesday evening, with cloudbursts being reported at some spots.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Thursday asked authorities in several districts of the state to be ready with rescue teams and relief mechanisms in view of the India Meteorological Department predicting rain squalls.These are sudden, intense bouts of rain with gusts of wind for a few minutes. A statement from the chief minister's office (CMO) said officials in districts in the Konkan, western Maharashtra, north Maharashtra and Vidarbha have been directed to be on full alert for such weather activities.The IMD has predicted that some parts of the state may get such rain squalls for the next four to five days, officials said.