Mumbai, Aug 27: Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday said that the Maharashtra government has established a war room to review the situation arising from the US government’s move to impose a 50 per cent tariff on India, effective from August 27.

“The government will make all efforts to convert the present crisis into an opportunity by exploring new market options. When one path is shut, many other paths open. We have kept our eyes open for new opportunities. We will take this challenge as a new opportunity,” claimed the Chief Minister while speaking to reporters at his official residence, Varsha, after performing Pooja on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi.

He further added that the government has opened a war room to look for increasing trade opportunities in other markets and make improvements to be ready for global competition, adding that the government has set a target of making nearly 100 improvements, which include efforts to reduce production costs and export products to other markets.

The Chief Minister’s statement comes when the state government has already initiated discussions with the Union government to seek guidance to protect the interests of Maharashtra industries and employment to weather the US tariff shock.

He claimed that the state government is committed to safeguarding the interests of its industries and the economy.

The state government’s move to swing into action to tackle the imposition of a 50 per cent tariff by the US is important as Maharashtra is the second-highest exporting state from India in FY 2023-24 with IRs 5.56 lakh crore exports, which is 15.37 per cent of total exports from India.

Of the Rs 5.56 lakh crore exports, the state’s exports to the US were reported at Rs 111762 crore.

According to the state government data, the top five exporting districts from the state are Mumbai Suburban, Mumbai City, Pune and Thane, contributing 74 per cent of the state’s total exports.

The top 10 importing countries from the US are the UAE, Hong Kong, Belgium, the UK, China, Italy, the Netherlands, Germany, and Mexico. Top export products from Maharashtra are pearls, precious and semi-precious stones; drug formulations/ biologicals; gold and other precious metals, jewellery; motor vehicles and cars; and iron and steel.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister said that the Ganeshotsav Mandalas have responded positively to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal to showcase Operation Sindoor during the ongoing festival.

He further added that the self-reliant India and Swadeshi have also been projected by the Ganeshotsav Mandalas.

“In response to the appeal made by the Prime Minister to the country, the people have responded by accepting it as a people’s movement,” he claimed.

On Shiv Sena UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray and his family visiting the cousin and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena Raj Thackeray’s home for Ganapati Darshan, CM Fadnavis said that it is good that both brothers have come together.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday expressed grief over the loss of lives due to a landslide on the Mata Vaishno Devi Temple route in Jammu and Kashmir amid heavy rains. According to reports, over 30 lives have been lost due to the tragic landslide incident in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district. On Tuesday, the massive landslide, triggered by heavy rains, hit the pilgrimage route at Inderprastha Bhojnalaya at Adhkwar.

“The loss of lives due to a landslide on the route to the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Temple is saddening. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. May the injured recover at the earliest. The administration is assisting all those affected. My prayers for everyone’s safety and well-being,” PM Modi said in a post on X.

The landslide occurred approximately midway through the serpentine 12-kilometre journey from Katra town to the mountaintop temple. Two pathways lead to the shrine, although the pilgrimage on the Himkoti trail had been halted since the morning, devotees were still using the traditional path until 1.30 p.m., when officials suspended all movement due to rainfall concerns.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah contacted both Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, pledging complete assistance to the Union Territory’s administration.

Shah in a post on X said, “The landslide tragedy on the Vaishno Devi pilgrimage path in Jammu and Kashmir, caused by intense rainfall, is deeply distressing. I have discussed this matter with Jammu and Kashmir’s Chief Minister, Shri Omar Abdullah ji, and Lieutenant Governor, Shri Manoj Sinha ji.”

“Local authorities are actively conducting relief and rescue efforts to help those injured, with NDRF personnel also being deployed to the area,” he added.

Wounded pilgrims have been transferred to Katra’s Community Health Centre (CHC) for treatment.

Intense rainfall has battered the Jammu region for two consecutive days, causing flash flooding throughout the area. The Kashmir Valley has similarly suffered extensive infrastructure damage.

Communication networks have failed across significant portions of the union territory, isolating millions from contact and worsening the crisis, according to officials cited by PTI.

Mumbai: The Hydraulic Engineer’s Department has reported a significant rise in lake levels supplying water to Mumbai, with total water stock across the seven major lakes reaching 96.74% of their full useful capacity. As of 6:00 AM on August 27, 2025, the combined storage stands at 14,00,219 million litres, a healthy sign for the city’s water supply for the upcoming months.

Middle Vaitarna, Modak Sagar, Tulsi, and Vihar lakes are already at 100% storage capacity, with Bhatsa at 95.52% and Upper Vaitarna at 96.60%. The Tansa lake, which saw a minor drop of 0.01 meters in the last 24 hours, remains at a high 99.10% of useful content.

Middle Vaitarna’s gates were opened on August 18, and Upper Vaitarna began releasing water from August 21. These timely measures help regulate overflow and prevent flood risks in the surrounding areas.

Rainfall data shows continued precipitation, with Middle Vaitarna recording 22 mm and Upper Vaitarna 43 mm in the past 24 hours. The total rainfall recorded across all lakes this season so far is 2383.00 mm, with Bhatsa and Tulsi receiving the highest 2467 mm and 3474 mm respectively.

The steady inflow and rainfall ensure that Mumbai is well-positioned to avoid any water cuts this year. Civic authorities remain vigilant, continuously monitoring levels to ensure optimal water management as monsoon conditions persist.

Mumbai Rains Hit Till September 1

Mumbai is preparing for Lord Ganesha’s arrival on August 27, with the IMD forecasting moderate to heavy rainfall throughout the day, prompting a yellow alert for potential waterlogging and traffic disruptions during Ganesh Chaturthi. Commuters should use public transport and leave early to avoid delays. Weather predictions suggest intermittent rains with accumulations of 5–35 mm. The week will see cloudy skies and varying temperatures from 24°C to 28°C, with repeated heavy showers expected impacting crowd management and travel.