Heavy monsoon rains continue to batter Maharashtra, prompting a red alert from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) for several districts. Thane, Pune, Raigad, Mumbai, and Palghar are affected, with the alert active until 8:30 AM today.
In response to the severe weather, Mumbai Police confirmed school closures in Palghar, Thane, and Raigad for student safety. However, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation will keep schools open in Mumbai, showing varying impact across regions.
Chief Minister Eknath Shinde stated that the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and the Indian Army are on standby, especially in Pune, to assist with potential airlifts of residents from dangerous areas. This proactive approach highlights the severity of the situation as the state government aims to mitigate any potential disasters and ensure public safety.
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In Pune, the situation is dire. The local fire brigade has successfully rescued at least 160 people stranded in flood-prone zones due to the rising water levels. Unfortunately, the heavy rainfall that struck on July 25th has already resulted in four fatalities in the region and caused a significant landslide on the Pune-Raigad road, adding to the chaos and destruction.
Thane reports two drownings due to the Barvi dam overflow. Heavy rains caused incidents like short circuits, fallen trees, property damage, and rising river levels. The relentless downpour caused all seven Mumbai water supply lakes to overflow, severely impacting traffic and damaging infrastructure.
The debris from a landslide on the Pune-Raigad road halted all traffic, severely affecting mobility and causing extensive delays. Local trains are experiencing delays of 10-15 minutes, and several lines have been suspended or re-routed. Furthermore, the conditions forced the BEST buses in Mumbai to redirect their routes due to significant waterlogging.
Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, along with Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, is actively monitoring the situation. They have advised residents to stay indoors if possible, reflecting the gravity of the current weather conditions. The leadership’s involvement underscores the government’s commitment to public safety and its readiness to respond to the crisis effectively.
As of the latest updates, the Krishna river is nearing its danger level at Sangli’s British-era Irwin Bridge, currently at 36 feet with an alert level of 40 feet. The upstream discharge from the Koyna Dam has been increased to 30,000 cusecs to manage the water levels, signaling the ongoing efforts to prevent further flooding.
In Mumbai, the weather forecast by BMC predicts moderate to heavy rainfall today, with isolated areas expecting very heavy downpours accompanied by gusty winds of up to 50-60 kmph. This has led Mumbai University to declare a holiday in the heavily impacted Raigad and Ratnagiri districts, with all scheduled examinations postponed.
Significant infrastructure damage includes the Rayta Bridge on National Highway 61, where water levels have decreased but left the bridge’s barricading broken. The Thane District Administration has communicated the urgent need for repairs to the National Highway Authority and has diverted traffic as a temporary measure.
The heavy rains have not only caused physical damage but also disrupted daily life significantly. Educational institutions in several talukas like Wada and Vikramgad in Palghar district and parts of Raigad and Alibaug have declared holidays.
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