Severe Flooding Hits Pune: Heavy Rains Trigger Dam Discharge and Widespread Evacuations
News Mania Desk/Agnibeena Ghosh/25th July 2024
Heavy rainfall on Wednesday night has led to significant flooding in Pune, Maharashtra, affecting several areas including Ekta Nagri and Vitthal Nagar. The deluge prompted the Pune Fire Department to deploy boats for rescue operations as the situation escalated. Flooding was exacerbated by increased water discharge from the Khadakwasla Dam, leading to inundation in societies along Sinhagad Road. In Ekta Nagar, around five to six societies, along with roads and shops, have been submerged.
The spike in water discharge from the Khadakwasla Dam caught many residents off guard as the increased flow began late in the night. The heightened release of water, which surged to 40,000 cusecs by 6 a.m. Thursday, followed an earlier release of 27,203 cusecs at 4 a.m. This sudden increase in water levels has led to widespread anger among the locals, who accuse the administration of not providing sufficient advance warning about the potential flood risks. Over 200 individuals found themselves trapped as a result of the unexpected flooding. Additionally, the outbreak of a fire in one of the affected areas further complicated the rescue efforts.
The continuous rainfall in the catchment area of Khadakwasla Dam has pushed the reservoir to its full capacity, necessitating the elevated discharge rates. The Pune administration, responding to the crisis, has issued alerts to residents living along riverbanks to remain cautious. In light of the severe weather conditions, the District Information Office has forecasted gusty winds reaching speeds of 50 to 60 km per hour in isolated areas, including Palghar, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, and moderate rain in Kolhapur and Pune’s Ghat regions.
In response to the deteriorating situation, District Magistrate Suhas Diwas has mandated the closure of schools in Pune due to a red alert issued by the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD). This alert covers Pune city, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Bhor, Velha, Maval, Mulshi, Haveli, and Khadakwasla areas. The public has been advised to stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel as the IMD has predicted extremely heavy rainfall for the region.
On Wednesday, an orange alert had already been issued, warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall from July 26 to July 27 across Maharashtra. This alert includes Thane, Palghar, Raigad, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg districts in the Konkan region. The IMD’s forecasts indicate that the adverse weather conditions are expected to persist, further complicating the already challenging situation for the residents.
The flooding in Pune underscores the critical need for effective flood management and timely communication to mitigate the impact of such natural disasters. As the city grapples with the aftermath, the focus remains on providing relief and ensuring the safety of affected individuals.
