A red alert has been issued in Pune on Thursday after heavy rains brought life to a standstill. Besides Pune city, Velha, Mulshi and Bhor talukas also received heavy showers as authorities began evacuating people from low-lying areas. Four persons lost their lives in rain-related incidents in Pune.
The incessant rains lashing the Khadakwasla dam's catchment area also caused the release of water from the reservoir. "As the catchment areas of Khadakwasla dam have been witnessing incessant rains, water is being released at over 35,000 cusecs and it will further increase to 45,000 cusecs. Due to the water discharge, several low-lying areas along the Mutha River witnessed inundation and flooding," Pune district collector Suhas Diwase said.
Authorities have also declared a holiday for schools and colleges in most parts of the district in view of the heavy rainfall warning. Schools won't function in the 'ghat' (mountain pass) sections of Khed, Junnar, Ambegaon, Velha, Mulshi, Maval, Bhor, Haveli talukas and Pimpri Chinchwad as well.
The district administration has also deployed rescue teams in case of an emergency. The fire brigade and disaster management cell of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) are engaged in evacuation operations, especially in the housing societies in low-lying areas, such as Sinhagad Road, Bavdhan, Baner and Deccan Gymkhana.
Preparations have also been made for airlifting operations if needed, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said. "There is water on the roads and in houses of people in Pune. There is a lot of rain at Khadakwasla Dam and in the catchment area. The District Collector, Municipal Commissioner, and Police Commissioner are on alert. Teams of NDRF teams & SDRF are deployed there. I have spoken to the Army to keep their teams on alert. Preparations have also been made for airlifting operations if needed. I appeal to the people to cooperate with the administration to move to safer places.
On the situation in Mumbai, Shinde added that the Mumbai Municipal Commissioner has taken measures to deploy water pumps to drain excess water from submerged areas. "In Mumbai, an 'orange' alert has been sounded for the next 3 hours. As many as 222 water pumps are used to drain excess water in different areas. There is water accumulated on railway tracks in the Kurla and Ghatkopar areas. Work is being done to open the Andheri subway which is closed right now. I appeal to Mumbaikars not to venture outside, if not required," he added.
The rains also caused traffic chaos with many roads inundated. A landslide in Tahmini ghat in Mulshi tehsil. Officials are engaged in removing debris from the road to restore traffic.