India, May 28 -- Maharashtra has witnessed a trail of destruction over the past three days as relentless rainfall claimed eight lives and wreaked havoc across several districts. The deaths were reported from Pune (3), Jalna (2), and one each from Mumbai, Raigad and Ahilyanagar. Causes ranged from lightning strikes and wall collapses to falling trees and drowning incidents. Two people have sustained injuries and are undergoing treatment at government hospitals.

On Monday, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis directed the administration to provide immediate ex gratia compensation to the families of the deceased and also against the crop damages under existing disaster relief norms. At a cabinet meeting, he instructed officials to conduct urgen...