Heavy Rains in Pune Result in Fatalities, Army Deployed for Rescue

Heavy rains have caused significant damage in Pune, Maharashtra, leading to the deaths of at least four people in rain-related incidents on Thursday. Low-lying areas have been flooded, and rescue operations are ongoing.

Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar toured the district and confirmed that Army teams have been deployed at Ekta Nagar on Sinhagad Road. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel are also present in the area as a precautionary measure.

Flooding and Evacuations

Pune city and surrounding areas, including Velha, Mulshi, and Bhor talukas, have experienced continuous rainfall since Wednesday night. Housing societies in low-lying areas like Sinhagad Road, Bavdhan, Baner, and Deccan Gymkhana faced flooding. The fire brigade and disaster management cell of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) are working to evacuate stranded residents.

Pawar assured that there is no current flooding on Sinhagad Road. All those needing relocation have been moved to safety, with arrangements for meals, clothes, and other relief materials provided.

Water Release from Khadakwasla Dam

Due to heavy rains in the Khadakwasla dam's catchment area, water has been released from the reservoir. Initially released at over 35,000 cusecs, it was later reduced to 15,000 cusecs. Pawar instructed officials to release water before dark to prevent hardships for those living along the Mutha river.

The capacity of Khadakwasla reservoir is around 3 TMC. Instructions have also been given to release water through canals at different dams in Pune district. Mulshi Dam is nearing full capacity, and officials have been asked to use the water for power generation.

Casualties and Rescue Operations

Four people lost their lives due to rain-related incidents in Pune. Three men were electrocuted while moving their submerged handcart in Deccan area. Another person died in a landslide in Tahmini ghat section of Mulshi tehsil.

Inspector Manoj Yadav of Paud police station reported that one person died and another was injured after a landslide hit a small eatery in Tahmini ghat. Rescue operations at Lavasa were halted due to heavy rains and darkness but will resume on Friday morning.

Precautionary Measures

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for Pune district, advising people to take precautions. Schools and colleges across most parts of the district declared a holiday due to the heavy rainfall warning.

Coordination is ongoing with district administrations of Kolhapur, Sangli, and Satara to monitor the rain situation. NDRF and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams are stationed at critical spots as a precautionary measure.

Pawar mentioned that according to IMD's forecast for the next five days, some districts have an orange alert while others have a yellow alert. NDRF teams are deployed at 18 locations, with six SDRF teams stationed in Kurla and Ghatkopar in Mumbai, as well as Thane, Raigad, Palghar, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, Satara, and Sangli.

Pune district collector Suhas Diwase stated that due to heavy rains in Khadakwasla dam's catchment area, water is being released from the reservoir. This has led to inundation in several low-lying areas along the Mutha river.

Residents expressed frustration during Pawar's visit about not receiving advance information about water release. A woman complained that the announcement vehicle did not tour their area, leading to sudden flooding in Ekta Nagar and resulting in significant losses.

The administration will provide help after conducting damage assessments. The IMD has issued a red alert for Pune for the next 24 hours. Diwase urged people not to step out unless necessary.

The district administration announced holidays for schools on Friday in Bhor, Velha, Maval, Mulshi, Haveli, Ambegaon, Junnar tehsils as well as Pimpri Chinchwad due to heavy rainfall warnings.

Efforts continue to manage the situation effectively while ensuring safety measures are in place for affected residents.