India, Sept. 30 -- Although the rain receded on Monday, the situation was still grim in flood-affected districts across Maharashtra as water from dams continued to be discharged from their reservoirs. This kept large areas submerged more than a week after torrential rain wrought havoc across rural Maharashtra.

According to official reports, 41,067 people have been shifted to shelters since September 21, while crops on 1.01 crore acres of agricultural land have been damaged since August.

Last week, the state government approved a Rs.2,215-crore relief package for 31,64,000 farmers. However, to make funds immediately available, the state on Monday allowed local authorities to use 5% of funds from the District Development Fund for rescue a...