Pune, August 8: Amid the flood situation in Maharashtra, a fatal accident was reported on Thursday as a boat involved in voluntary rescue operations overturned with 27-30 villagers onboard. Nearly 10-12 villagers are feared dead, said officials involved in the operation to locate those who have drowned.

The incident was reported near Bhamnal in Palus block of Sangli district. The boat which overturned was taken out by locals to secure villagers stranded in low-lying areas. Karnataka, Maharashtra Reel Under Floods As Rains Gain Pace; Check Places Where Alerts Have Been Issued

"It was a rescue boat of locals who were trying to take people from flooded area to safer place. 9 bodies taken out till now. 10-12 are feared dead. Search for rest is on," said Deepak Mhaisekar, Divisional Commissioner of Pune Division.

In the rescue operation so far, Mhaisekar said, a total of 16 people have been rescued. The rest were still missing by the time preliminar reports emerged.

Update by ANI:

Meanwhile, the flood situation continues to remain grim in Maharashtra where 1.2 lakh people have been affected due to the incessent rainfall and swelling of rivers. The worst affected are Sangli, Satara and Kolhapur districts.

As many as 370 long-distance trains have been cancelled and services of 44 short-distance trains have been terminated due to massive downpour, which has damaged the south-bound railway line.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 08, 2019 01:35 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).