Lifestyle

Maharashtra rain havoc: Death toll rises to 15, Army and boats mobilized in Pune

Large parts of Pune and the district were submerged in flood waters

July 25, 2024

Pune submerges as heavy rain triggers flooding

At least 15 persons were killed in rain-related incidents as heavy rain wreaked havoc in Pune, Mumbai, Thane, Raigad, and adjoining regions in the past 24 hours, with the Indian Army helping civil agencies in the rescue operations, officials said here on Thursday.

Three persons were killed in Pune city following electrocution while another three are feared to have perished in their posh villas after a hillslide in the Lavasa city in Mulshi.

Another person was crushed in a landslide at Maval in Pune district, a man drowned in Raigad, a man was killed in a fire ignited by a short-circuit in a Mumbai building, a man was killed in a landslide, three others were killed in lightning strikes in Chandrapur, while two persons drowned in the Barvi dam in Thane.

Heavy rain lashes Pune

Pune, Maharashtra’s academic, IT, and cultural hub, faced severe flooding after incessant heavy rainfall overnight. Large parts of the city and surrounding districts were submerged, leading to school closures and the deployment of boats to assist residents.

The NDRF launched a major rescue operation in Nimbaj Nagar, Deccan Gymkhana, and Sinhagad Road areas which were among the worst-hit as water rushed into homes, shops, and other establishments as the city received over 200 mm of rain in the past 24 hours.

The city Fire Brigade, police, SDRF, and NDRF teams along with other agencies were rushed to many areas to rescue people surrounded by 3-5 feet deep waters.

The situation was compounded by over 40,000 cusecs water being discharged from the overflowing Khadakwasla Dam, making the citizens annoyed for opening the dam floodgates to the Mula-Mutha River basins at around 4 a.m. without prior notice.

Elsewhere, the twin hill stations of Khandala-Lonavala, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Mulshi, Khed, Bhor, Maval, Haveli, Baramati, and the elite Lavasa city, among others, received very heavy rain measuring over 300 mm in the past 24 hours.

In many areas of Pune city and other towns, the rescue agencies and police appealed to people to remain indoors, and those stranded in multi-storied buildings were urged to remain there. Electricity in some areas was cut off as a precaution, compounding people’s woes.

Schools and colleges shut

While all educational institutions in Pune and Raigad were shut for the day (Thursday), schools and colleges shall remain closed on Friday in Thane, Palghar, Raigad, Pune, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg.

Record rainfall in Pune

Lavasa recorded 454 mm of rainfall in the past 12 hours.
Lonavala received 323 mm, Nimgiri 233 mm, and Malin 181 mm.
Chinchwad saw 175 mm, while Talegaon and Khadakwasla received 168 mm.
Lavale registered 167 mm of rainfall.
Other areas in Pune received between 50 mm and 150 mm of rain.
The average rainfall for Pune was 115 mm, with intermittent showers continuing.