Intense heavy rainfall and flooding have been recorded in several parts of Maharashtra, with red alert declared in many areas as well.
While four teams of NDRF are already engaged in rescuing people in Chiplun, three more teams reached the disaster struck area as incessant showers in the hilly regions of Ratnagiri district wreaked havoc in the coastal town. Illegal constructions near the Vashisthi river bed and discharge of water from the Kolkewadi dam added to the destruction of the area.
The district administration has issued a list of people, who are stuck in the flood. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken to CM Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday and assured all possible help.
K Chandrasekhar Rao, Telangana chief minister has also put the entire administration on high alert after heavy rains and huge inflows from upstream Maharashtra and Karnataka began flooding large areas of the state. “More care should be taken on Godavari and Krishna rivers catchment areas,” the CM told the roads and buildings (R&B) department. He also told them to assess the flood situation and examine the condition of roads and bridges.
Bhimashankar, the historic temple near Pune, has been submerged in water as flood water surrounded it. Also reportedly, over 100 people were moved to safety in Sangli overnight after Krishna river breached danger levels. Two people were also reported buried in Wai Devrukhwadi after five house were damaged following heavy rains and flooding.
“As many as 27 people have been rescued and shifted in Wai Devrukhwadi, while two people are feared dead in the debris after collapse of the houses,” an official said.
Railways have said that all the three lines in Kasara Ghat and two lines in Bhor Ghat are fit for incoming and outgoing traffic after rains halted in the area. “Suburban can run from CSMT-Kasara/Karjat on main line. Harbour libe, Trans harbour line and fourth corridor are already in operation,” it said.
Mahabaleshwar, a hill station and tourist attraction in Satara district, received 380 mm rainfall in just 12 hours on Thursday. The rainfall was recorded between 8 am and 8 pm. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) had issued a red alert for this hill station. It has also forecasted extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places in Ghat areas near Pune.
IMD senior scientist, KS Hosalikar said, “Latest radar images indicate very intense clouds over parts of the Raigad-Roha, Satara-Mahabaleshwar regions as well as over parts of Ratnagiri and Dapoli”.
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