Pune Rains: Khadakwasla Dam Hits Full Capacity, Severe Water Release Causes Flooding in Local Areas
Due to continuous rainfall in the catchment area of Khadakwasla Dam, the dam reached its full capacity on Thursday. The Pune administration responded by increasing the discharge rate of water into the Mutha River, releasing it at 40,000 cusecs from 6 a.m. onwards, as per information from the District Information Office.
Earlier that day, at 4 a.m., the water was released at a speed of 27,203 cusecs. Consequently, an alert has been issued to residents living along the riverbanks, urging them to exercise caution.
The heavy rains on Wednesday night caused water to enter houses and buildings in Ekta Nagri and Vitthal Nagar areas of Pune. The Pune Fire Department has deployed boats to evacuate people from these flooded residences.
In addition to this, the District Information Office has forecasted gusty winds with speeds of 50 to 60 km per hour in isolated places over Palghar, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg. Moderate rainfall is expected in Kolhapur and the Ghat areas of Pune in the next three hours.
District Magistrate Suhas Diwas has ordered the closure of schools in Pune, following a red alert issued by the Indian Meteorological Department for Pune city, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Bhor, Velha, Maval, Mulshi, Haveli, and Khadakwasla areas. Public advisories have been issued, urging people to stay indoors and venture out only if necessary.
The Indian Meteorological Department has issued a red alert for Maharashtra on Thursday, predicting extremely heavy rainfall. On Wednesday, an orange alert was also issued, warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall (115.6 to 204.4 mm) from July 26 to July 27 in Maharashtra. This alert included Thane, Palghar, Raigad, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg districts in the Konkan region.
The Brihan Mumbai Metropolitan Council (BMC) has forecasted moderate to heavy rain in the city and suburbs on Thursday and Friday, with the possibility of very heavy rainfall in isolated places. Occasional gusty winds reaching 50-60 kmph are also expected. A high tide is anticipated at 2:51 PM on Thursday, potentially exacerbating flooding in Mumbai city and suburbs.
