At least three people were electrocuted in Pune and three others feared trapped under the debris of three collapsed villas in a hill slide at Lavasa, even as the heavy rains wreaked havoc in Pune, Mumbai and various parts of Maharashtra, prompting the Maharashtra Government to seek the assistance of the Army and Navy to deal with the monsoon-related incidents.
Many parts of Pune lay thick sheets of water as the heavy rains ravaged the city since Wednesday night, while intense rains battered Mumbai, Thane, Palghar and other surrounding areas resulting in heavy flooding in low-lying areas and disruption in train and flight operations. As a precautionary measure, the authorities declared holidays for schools and colleges in Pune, Mumbai and Thane.
Three mobile snacks stall owners were electrocuted when they tried to move their handcarts to safety through the flood waters near Z bridge at around 3.30 am in Pune, while three others were feared trapped nearby Lavasa city after a hill-slide buried three villas.
A Nepali boy Shiv Jidbahadur Pariyar (18) was among three persons killed in Pune, while two others killed in an electrocution incident were identified Akash Mane (21) and Abhishek Ghanekar (25).
The State’s cultural, academic and IT capital has been clobbered by torrential rain since last night leaving a trail of destruction, paralysing normal life as the district administration ordered all educational institutions to remain shut for the day.
Several parts of Pune, neighbouring twin towns of Pimpri and Chinchwad and dams around Pune have recorded very high rainfall.
Since the midnight Wednesday-Thursday, heavy rainfall was recorded in Lavasa (454 mm), Lonavala (323 mm), Nimgiri (233 mm), Malin (181 mm), Chinchwad (175 mm), Talegaon and Khadakwasla (168 mm) and Lavale (167 mm). Pune received an average rainfall of 115 mm.
After taking stock of the situation arising out of heavy rains in Pune, Mumbai Raigad, Thane and other parts of the State, Maharashtra chief Minister Eknath Shinde said, “The units of NDRF, SDRF, Army, Navy, Police, Fire Brigade, Health System have been directed to coordinate with each other and lend help.”
“These agencies need to work as a team and shift the flood affected people safely, provide them with food packets, arrange medicines and water. Instructions have been given to take the help of NDRF, Army, and Navy,” Shinde said.
“Around 40,000 cusecs was discharged from the Khadakwasla Dam,” Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol who is an MP from Pune, said.
“There is also heavy rain in Mumbai city and suburbs. The administration is fully alert to deal with any calamity in Mumbai and I am in touch with Pune, Raigad, Mumbai Collectors and Municipal Commissioners,” Shinde said.
Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar also coordinated with authorities in rushing help to the people affected by rains in Pune and various parts of the State.
On a day when scores of trees were uprooted and two-wheelers and four-wheelers remained stranded in flood waters, personnel from various agencies deployed to ferry the people in the marooned areas of Pune. More than 500 people were evacuated from the low-lying areas during the day.
