Amid heavy rains overnight and persistent downpours, especially in the catchment areas of dams, parts of Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad reported flooding on Thursday morning. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a ‘red alert’ for the city. Four deaths have so far been reported in the rain-related incidents. Three persons died due to electrocution through water during the heavy rainfall at Pulachi Wadi in the Deccan Gymkhana area in the early hours today. Meanwhile, one person died and another was injured in a landslide that occurred in Adarwadi village in Maval tehsil, as a heavy rock slid and tumbled down the road. The deceased is a restaurant staffer.
Collector Suhas Diwase said that water is being discharged from Khadakwasla dam owing to the heavy rains received in its catchment area. “Maval, Mulshi, Bhor, Velha, Khed, Junnar, and Ambegaon areas of the western ghats have received heavy rains. Rains are especially high in the catchment areas of Khadakwasla dam and hence since morning over 35,000 cusecs of water has been released which can go up to 40 to 45,000 today,” said Diwase.
Schools in Pune city and nearby areas have been shut today following an order by collector Suhas Diwase. The order to shut schools extends to Pimpri Chinchwad, Bhor, Velhe, Maval Mulshi, and Khadakwasla. Diwase also confirmed that all tourist places have been shut down; private offices and industrial units have also been appealed for the same. In addition, Pavana dam, the main source of water supply for Pimpri-Chinchwad, had been filled up to 58 per cent of its capacity by Wednesday afternoon following incessant rain in Maval taluka of Pune district.
