India, July 6 -- Relentless monsoon rain battered large parts of Maharashtra on Sunday, turning rivers, waterfalls and hill routes into danger zones. Four tourists drowned in separate incidents in Raigad, while torrential showers triggered landslides, flooded highways, shut popular tourist destinations and claimed lives in other parts of the state.

The four deaths in Raigad were reported in three separate incidents. Two tourists on a monsoon picnic drowned at one location, while two others died in separate mishaps, said resident deputy collector Sandesh Shirke.

"People should avoid visiting monsoon tourist destinations until weather conditions improve," said Raigad resident deputy collector Sandesh Shirke.

Rain-related fatalities were ...