Mumbai : The Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis has congratulated the Former spokesperson of Bharatiya Janata Party, Shehzad Poonawalla on his victory in the 2nd season of the reality show ‘Rise and Fall’. On Sunday, the CM took to his X, formerly Twitter, and penned a long note for Shehzad on his victory, and lauded him for his decision to donate his prize money to the CM Relief Fund for Maharashtra’s drought-hit farmers. He wrote, “Your gesture of donating the prize money to the CM Relief Fund for Maharashtra’s drought-hit farmers is truly appreciated. Thank you for standing with our Baliraja”.

Shehzad Poonawalla’s contribution to the CM Relief Fund comes amid the state facing one of its most widespread drought crises in recent years. The state government has declared 305 of its 358 talukas drought-affected, covering more than 85% of the state’s geographical area. The declaration follows a deficient 2026 southwest monsoon, with Maharashtra receiving 804.4 mm of rainfall against the normal 994.5 mm, a shortfall of approximately 19%.

Marathwada is the worst-hit region, as it recorded a 38% rainfall deficit, Vidarbha follows with a 27% deficit. Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar division has the highest number of drought-affected talukas, at 76, followed by Amravati (56), Nashik (52), Nagpur (52) and Pune (51). More than eight lakh farmers have been affected, with soybean and cotton crops suffering. Meanwhile, Shehzad Poonawalla was officially declared the winner of the 2nd season of ‘Rise and Fall’. The show, backed by a powerhouse creative team led by Banijay India, MX Original was hosted by Virender Sehwag. The show is available to stream on MX Player by Prime Video.

MUMBAI — In a decisive move to curb air pollution and prevent fire hazards, civic authorities and district administrations across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) and neighboring cities have rolled out strict restrictions on the use of firecrackers. Taking serious note of a recent surge in fire emergencies, the Thane district administration has imposed a blanket ban on sky rockets and similar aerial firecrackers. The prohibitory order comes into immediate effect and will remain in force for an extended period. This emergency measure was prompted by a series of fire incidents reported across the district during recent celebrations, where burning residues from aerial fireworks fell onto residential buildings and flammable materials, damaging property and endangering lives.
In tandem with the district’s orders, the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) has issued its own stringent guidelines. Authorities have mandated that only environmentally friendly “green crackers” are permitted. The bursting of any fireworks is now strictly prohibited in public spaces, including main roads, alleys, footpaths, and public grounds, as well as in designated “silence zones” such as hospitals, courts, and educational institutions.

Furthermore, a strict nighttime curfew has been implemented; bursting crackers is completely banned between 10:00 PM and 6:00 AM. The new regulations also prohibit the use of laser lights and mandate strict authorization and safety protocols for all firecracker vendors. Similar preventive measures are being echoed by surrounding civic bodies, including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC), and Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC). These authorities have restricted the bursting of firecrackers in public spaces and set up dedicated helplines to report noise and air pollution violations.
This sweeping crackdown comes amid escalating health concerns. Officials highlighted that high noise levels and toxic smoke pose severe health risks to young children, senior citizens, pregnant women, and individuals with cardiovascular or respiratory conditions.
Authorities have appealed to all citizens to cooperate with the regulations and prioritize public safety. Residents wishing to report any violations, illegal vendor stalls, or excessive noise can log complaints directly via the pollution control board helplines or through the respective municipal grievance portals and toll-free numbers.

Following a fire that broke out last night—during the Diwali festival—at a warehouse and garage in the Dongri area of ​​Mumbai, the police are set to initiate an investigation, pending the fire department’s report and the determination of the causes. Significant damage has also been reported due to fires in several suburban areas, including Kurla, Ghatkopar, and Borivali. In the wake of the Dongri incident, local residents were immediately evacuated; given the severity of the blaze, the police will conduct a formal inquiry. In light of the recurring fire incidents during Diwali, the Mayor of Mumbai has urged the public to exercise caution when using firecrackers and has expressed concern over the spate of fires across the city. The police have now launched an investigation into these Diwali-related fire incidents, and a formal case will be registered following the submission of an initial report. This was confirmed by DCP (Operations) Akbar Pathan, who stated that investigations into these incidents are currently underway, though the specific causes have yet to be determined. Once the exact causes are established, appropriate action will be taken.