Severe precipitation in Maharashtra leads to the discharge of water from Khadakwasla Dam in Pune, resulting in waterlogging in Mumbai.
The recent heavy rainfall has once again caused problems for Mumbai and its surrounding areas, as waterlogging has been observed in various low-lying regions of the city. As a result of the ongoing precipitation in the catchment area of Khadakwasla Dam, the dam reached its maximum capacity on July 25th.
Orders have been given by District Magistrate Suhas Diwas to keep the schools in Pune closed as the Indian Meteorological Department has issued a red alert in Pune city, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Bhor, Velha, Maval, Mulshi, Haveli and the Khadakwasla areas.
Advisories have also been issued to the public to stay indoors and venture out only if necessary.
Additionally, the Indian Meteorological Department issued a red alert for Maharashtra on Thursday and has predicted extremely heavy rainfall.
According to the District Information Office, the Pune administration has increased the flow rate and released water into the Mutha River at 6 a.m. on Thursday at a rate of 40,000 cusecs. Earlier, at 4 a.m. on Thursday, water was released at a speed of 27,203 cusecs. Residents living along the riverbanks have been alerted to exercise caution.
Furthermore, due to heavy rains in Pune on Wednesday night, water has entered houses and buildings in Ekta Nagri and Vitthal Nagar areas. The Pune Fire Department has deployed boats to evacuate residents from their homes. Moreover, the District Information Office has forecasted gusty winds at a speed of 50 to 60 km per hour expected in isolated areas over Palghar, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, and moderate rainfall in Kolhapur and the Ghat regions of Pune within the next three hours.
District Magistrate Suhas Diwas has instructed the closure of schools in Pune as the Indian Meteorological Department has issued a red alert for Pune city, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Bhor, Velha, Maval, Mulshi, Haveli, and the Khadakwasla areas.
Public advisories have been issued to remain indoors and only go out if absolutely necessary. Furthermore, the Indian Meteorological Department has issued a red alert for Maharashtra on Thursday, predicting extremely heavy rainfall. An orange alert has also been issued in the state for heavy to very heavy rainfall (115.6 to 204.4 mm) from July 26 to July 27.
An orange alert has been issued for Thane, Palghar, Raigad, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg districts in Maharashtra’s Konkan region. The Brihan Mumbai Metropolitan Council (BMC) has stated that moderate to heavy rainfall is expected in Mumbai city and suburbs on Thursday and Friday, with the possibility of very heavy rainfall in isolated areas.
Occasional gusty winds reaching 50-60 kmph are also likely. The average rainfall recorded from 8 a.m. on July 24 to 8 a.m. on July 25 was 44mm in Mumbai city.