Heavy rain to continue in Maharashtra, thousands evacuated as rivers overflow
Heavy downpour continued in Maharashtra on Saturday, crippling normal life in several areas.
The incessant rain has led to widespread flooding, building collapses, traffic disruptions, and power outages. Rescue operations were underway in some locations to evacuate people from waterlogged areas and provide necessary assistance.
According to the weather department, heavy to very heavy rain is expected across the state in the coming days. In Western Maharashtra’s Kolhapur, more than 5,800 people moved to safer places after the Panchganga River started flowing above the danger mark, officials said.
Chief Minister Eknath Shinde reviewed the flood situation in Kolhapur and directed the district administration to provide all necessary help to citizens. He asked the officials to coordinate with the Karnataka government on the discharge of water from Almatti Dam in the neighbouring state.
According to officials, there is a possibility of the water level in the Panchganga River further rising as heavy rain continues in its catchment area. Two teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and a team of the Indian Army have been deployed in this region.
In Kolhapur, at least 11 state highways and 37 main roads were closed due to inundation, and 96 barrages were submerged, according to news agency PTI.
Six gates of the Radhanagari Dam were opened after the heavy rain, and the discharge was at 10,068 cusecs, leading to a surge in the water level in the Bhogawati River.
Sangli district was also under flood threat with the water level of the Krishna River rising. Authorities had relocated 80 inmates from a jail there to Kolhapur as a preventive measure.
The Indian Army announced that they deployed more forces in Sangli to deal with the situation.
“The Indian Army has activated another Flood Relief column in Sangli, Maharashtra. This column, consisting of approximately 100 personnel from the Engineers Task Force, Infantry units, and Medical teams, has been deployed with rescue equipment and boats following a requisition from the district collector,” the Southern Command of the Indian Army wrote on X.
The disaster management officials urged people to remain cautious and alert and follow instructions from the district administration.
HEAVY RAIN TO CONTINUE
The India Meteorological Department has predicted rain to continue in the state. The Konkan Region and Central Maharashtra, among other places, are expected to receive very heavy rain on Sunday and heavy rain on Monday, according to the latest forecast. The weather department has issued an orange alert for Central Maharashtra.
Rain is expected in cities like Mumbai and Pune as well. In Mumbai and its suburbs, light to moderate spells of rain with gusty winds are likely.
An orange alert has been issued for Pune as well in view of “heavy to very heavy rains for the next 24 hours, especially for ghat areas,” the IMD Pune office said.
Areas like Chandrapur, Gondia, Gadchiroli, Raigad, and Ratnagiri have also been issued an orange alert.