Pune Faces Heavy Rainfall and Red Alert, Schools Closed Amid Flood Warnings

Continuous rainfall has filled the Khadakwasla Dam to capacity, prompting the release of water into the Mutha River. Heavy rains are causing flooding in Pune, leading to school closures. The weather department has predicted more rain and gusty winds, particularly in Mumbai, Palghar, and surrounding areas.

Amid ongoing heavy rainfall in the Khadakwasla Dam's catchment area, the dam reached its maximum capacity on Thursday. According to the District Information Office, the Pune administration escalated water release into the Mutha River to a rate of 40,000 cusecs starting at 6 a.m. on Thursday.

Earlier, at 4 a.m., water had been released at 27,203 cusecs. Residents along the riverbanks have been alerted to exercise caution. Additionally, heavy rains on Wednesday night led to flooding in Ekta Nagri and Vitthal Nagar areas, entering homes and buildings.

The Pune Fire Department mobilized boats for resident evacuations. The District Information Office also predicted gusty winds of 50 to 60 kmph in isolated areas over Palghar, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, along with moderate rainfall expected in Kolhapur and Pune's Ghat regions in the next three hours.

District Magistrate Suhas Diwas ordered schools in Pune closed following a red alert issued by the Indian Meteorological Department. The red alert covers Pune city, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Bhor, Velha, Maval, Mulshi, Haveli, and Khadakwasla areas. Public advisories were issued to stay indoors unless necessary. The Indian Meteorological Department warned of extremely heavy rainfall in Maharashtra on Thursday.

On Wednesday, an orange alert was issued for parts of Maharashtra, predicting heavy to very heavy rainfall from July 26 to July 27, particularly in Thane, Palghar, Raigad, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg districts. The Brihan Mumbai Metropolitan Council (BMC) forecasted moderate to heavy rain for Mumbai and its suburbs on Thursday and Friday, with occasional gusty winds reaching 50-60 kmph.

A high tide is expected at 2:51 PM in Mumbai on Thursday. Both Mumbai city and suburbs are likely to experience moderate to heavy rains, with chances of very heavy rain in certain areas, coupled with gusty winds.

(With inputs from agencies.)