Torrential Rain Claims 4 Lives In Pune, Evacuation Ops On Amid Flood-Like Situation

Since Wednesday night, several other parts of the district besides Pune city, including Mulshi, Velha, and Bhor talukas have been witnessing incessant rains.

IMD has issued a red alert for extremely heavy rainfall for Pune district till Friday.

Source : PTI

Torrential and incessant rains have wreaked havoc in Maharashtra's Pune, claiming the lives of atleast four persons in rain-related incidents on Thursday. The low-lying areas in the city have been inundated, forcing people to evacuate their houses and residential societies, news agency PTI reported.

Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department has issued a red alert for heavy rain in Pune district, advising people to take necessary precautionary measures to stay safe. 

The Pune Fire Department was spotted bringing inflatable rubber boats to rescue the people after rainwater entered their residential areas.

#WATCH | Maharashtra: Pune Fire Department brings inflatable rubber boat to rescue people after rainwater enters residential areas. https://t.co/qUZ44pkK9I pic.twitter.com/yk5KdtP0Xs

— ANI (@ANI) July 25, 2024

Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde stated that Indian Air Force and Army have been put on alert for flood relief operations in Pune and other parts.

Out of the four people, three of them lost their lives after being electrocuted through water at Pulachi Wadi in the Deccan Gymkhana area. The fourth person is said to have died in a landslide trigerred by rainfall in Maval tehsil's Adarwadi village

NDRF Deployed, Schools & Colleges Shut

Amid the raging monsoon, the schools and colleges in most parts of Pune have been closed following the heavy rainfall warning sounded by the weather department.

Since Wednesday night, several other parts of the district besides Pune city, including Mulshi, Velha, and Bhor talukas and the catchments areas of several dams, including Khadakwasla, have been witnessing incessant rains.

Pune district has recorded a rainfall of 567.2 mm from June 1- July 24, reported IMD.

As a precautionary measure, teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the disaster management cells have been deployed at the low lying areas, which are likely to witness flooding and inundation, Pune district collector Suhas Diwase told PTI.

Diwase has also ordered the closure of all tourist spots in the district for 48 hours.

The district administration has also prohibited traffic movement on bridges amid risk of being submerged.

As many as 29 tourists were stranded at resorts in Malavli area near Lonavala hill station due to flooding in the district. They were evacuated on Wednesday evening, a police official said.

Deputy Chief Minister and Pune Guardian Minister Ajit Pawar also took stock of the situation and directed the district authorities and the civic administration to provide the citizens with all the help they need.

Heavy rain also lashed parts of Mumbai on Thursday with IMD predicting moderat to intense rainfall accompanied with gusty winds reaching 50-60 kmph in Mumbai, news agency ANI reported.