Heavy rains claim three lives in Wardha

Incessant heavy rains in Arvi taluka of neighbouring Wardha district on Wednesday wreaked havoc as three persons, including a woman, were killed and hundreds of houses were damaged, official sources said.

Over 100 livestock were also swept away amid severe downpour. Three persons - Raju Mahadeo Gedam, Ashok Dashrath Sawai and Chandrabhaga Raut -- were washed away in Sarangpuri nullah in Arvi, in the wee hours on Wednesday, the police said.

While one body was recovered, efforts were on to locate the other two. "All the affected families have been shifted to safer places and district administration was providing them with food, clothes and shelter and was keeping a close watch on situation," Wardha Collector Jaishri Bhoj told PTI.

The victims have been provided shelter in schools and other places and the entire civic and police machinery was pressed into service, she said. The taluka received a record of 210 mm rainfall during the last 24 hours, she added.