Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Friday said that the state has witnessed unprecedented flooding in the past few days. Speaking to reporters in Mumbai post a review meeting, Mr. Thackeray said the erratic climate has forced the government to ponder over a new definition of floods. While saying that the extent of the damage cannot be ascertained so far, Mr. Thackeray said teams of NDRF, all the three defence forces and the Coast Guard have been pressed into action to assist in relief and rescue operations. Emphasizing that saving lives is a priority, Mr. Thackeray said efforts are being made to send in masks, medicines for water-borne diseases, blankets, food packets, water bottles, etc to relief camps at the earliest.<br />'' <br />'' Meanwhile, Maharashtra's Relief and Rehabilitation Minister Vijay Wadettiwar has informed that the death toll in various flood affected regions currently stands at 42 and is likely to rise as the authorities try to reach out to villages cut off by floods. Stating that IMD has issued a red alert for Satara, Kolhapur and Ratnagiri districts, the minister said the situation continues to remain critical as water level is rising in Krishna and Panchganga rivers in Kolhapur. He added that additional teams of NDRF are being sent to Kolhpaur and adjoining areas to assist in rescue operations. Mr. Wadettiwar said that numerous roads and bridges have been washed away and many rivers continue to flow in spate, making it difficult even for NDRF to reach the affected villages via road and hence teams and relief material are being airlifted on priority.<br />'' <br />'' Earlier, Raigad's district collector Nidhi Chaudhary had informed that a total of 36 people have died in the district due to landslides, while atleast 30 others are feared trapped.<br />'' <br />'' Road and rail traffic too continues to remain affected as the Mumbai-Bangalore Highway remains shut and the rail traffic between Chiplun and Kamathe section of Konkan Railway yet to be restored.<br />