Heavy Rains Cause Landslides and Flooding in Pune and Raigad, Schools Closed
In Pune, Maharashtra, heavy rains have caused significant disruptions. Traffic has been halted at Tamhini Ghat on the Raigad-Pune route due to debris from a landslide. Raigad Police stated, “Traffic is stopped at Tamhini Ghat in the Raigad-Pune route due to a landslide. Traffic will be stopped for the next few hours until the debris is cleared.”
Pune District Collector Suhas Diwase said, “It is raining heavily in the hilly areas of Pune in the Western Ghats. We have declared a holiday for all schools and colleges and we are monitoring the situation. We have appealed to industrial establishments to also give their employees a day off today, as in the next three hours, we are expecting heavy to moderately heavy rains in the Pune region.”
Tragically, a person died and one was injured due to a rockslide in Adharwadi village in Pune rural. Three people are trapped in a landslide in Dasve village in Lavasa city, and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been sent for search and rescue. Additionally, three people died due to electrocution in Pune city. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar are monitoring the situation.
Due to continuous rainfall in the catchment area of Khadakwasla Dam, the dam reached its full capacity on Thursday. The Pune administration increased the speed and released water into the Mutha River at a rate of 40,000 cusecs. An alert has been issued to residents living along the riverbanks to be careful.
Heavy rains on Wednesday night caused water to enter houses and buildings in Ekta Nagri and Vitthal Nagar areas. The Pune Fire Department has brought boats to evacuate people from their residences. District Magistrate Suhas Diwase has ordered schools in Pune to remain closed as the Indian Meteorological Department has issued a red alert for Pune city and surrounding areas.
The Indian Meteorological Department has also issued a red alert for Maharashtra, predicting extremely heavy rainfall. The Brihan Mumbai Metropolitan Council (BMC) has forecast moderate to heavy rain in Mumbai and its suburbs, with the possibility of very heavy rainfall in isolated places. Occasional gusty winds reaching 50-60 kmph are expected, and a high tide is anticipated at 2:51 PM on Thursday.
Doubts Revealed
Pune -: Pune is a big city in the state of Maharashtra, India. It is known for its educational institutions and cultural heritage.
Raigad -: Raigad is a district in Maharashtra, India. It is known for its historical forts and beautiful landscapes.
Landslides -: Landslides happen when a lot of earth, rocks, and debris slide down a hill or mountain. They can be very dangerous and block roads.
Flooding -: Flooding occurs when there is too much water, usually from heavy rain, and it covers the land. It can damage homes and roads.
Tamhini Ghat -: Tamhini Ghat is a mountain pass in Maharashtra, India. It is a popular spot for its scenic beauty but can be dangerous during heavy rains.
Khadakwasla Dam -: Khadakwasla Dam is a dam near Pune, Maharashtra. It stores water and helps supply it to the city.
Mutha River -: The Mutha River flows through Pune, Maharashtra. It is an important river for the city.
Red alerts -: Red alerts are warnings given by authorities when there is a high risk of danger, like severe weather. It means people should be very careful.
Brihan Mumbai Metropolitan Council -: The Brihan Mumbai Metropolitan Council is a government body that manages the city of Mumbai. They help with planning and services for the city.
Electrocutions -: Electrocutions happen when someone gets a strong electric shock. It can be very dangerous and even cause death.
