As overnight heavy rains and persistent downpours crippled normal life, parts of Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad reported flooding on Thursday morning with four death being reported due to rain-related incidents and schools being shut across the city.
Three people have died due to electrocution after waterlogging was caused during the heavy rainfall at Pulachi Wadi in the Deccan Gymkhana area in the early hours on Thursday. 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, The Indian Express reported.
Meanwhile, the fire department is using boats to rescue people from flooded neighbourhoods such as Ekta Nagar. Some places have water up to the waist level. The Baba Bhide bridge on Mutha river is now underwater after the water level rose following the downpour.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert as more heavy rains are likely in the region.
Pune collector Suhas Diwase has ordered the closure of all tourist spots in the district for 48 hours. He has also said traffic movement will be prohibited on bridges in danger of being submerged. The district administration has also asked residents to stay indoors and step out only if it’s necessary.
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.
Khadakwasla Dam has reached its full capacity due to heavy rainfall. An alert has been issued to residents living along Mutha riverbank.
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.
Mumbai, too, is receiving heavy rainfall and some areas in Dombivali have been flooded. The Andheri Subway has been closed due to waterlogging.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation said that Vihar Lake, one of the seven lakes supplying water to the city, started overflowing early today. The capacity of the lake is 2769 crore litres.