Heavy Rains Disrupt Life in Nagpur: Red Alert Issued

Heavy rains hit Nagpur, Maharashtra, affecting daily life as authorities moved people to safer places and declared a holiday for schools and colleges. 50 students were stranded but later rescued. The IMD predicted further heavy rainfall and issued alerts for various districts. Roads and bridges were submerged, causing further disruptions.

Heavy rains lashed Maharashtra's Nagpur city and parts of the district on Saturday morning, disrupting normal life as water entered low-lying areas, prompting authorities to move people to safer places and declare a holiday for schools and colleges as a precautionary measure.

Around 50 students were stuck in their college in Hudkeshwar Nagar area due to flooding, but were later rescued, officials said. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Saturday predicted heavy rainfall, with the possibility of extremely heavy showers at isolated places in Nagpur and other districts of the Vidarbha region over the next two days, advising people to stay indoors unless necessary.

A red alert was issued for Chandrapur, and an orange alert for Nagpur, Amravati, and Wardha districts for Saturday.

Nagpur experienced heavy rainfall for three hours beginning at 8:30 am, although the intensity significantly decreased after 11:30 am. The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) in Nagpur recorded 135.6 mm of rainfall from 8:30 am to 11:30 am and 0.3 mm from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm.

In light of the downpour, Nagpur's district collector declared a holiday for all schools and colleges in the city and rural areas. Approximately 50 students of Antalika College in Hudkeshwar Nagar were trapped due to waterlogging but were rescued by the fire brigade and police. Incessant rains resulted in waterlogging across several Nagpur areas, and two rural bridges were submerged.

Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis of Nagpur directed the district administration to ensure minimal inconvenience for residents. Fadnavis confirmed he is in touch with officials via social media platform X, stating, ''Heavy rains have disrupted life in Nagpur city and district. I am in constant touch with the Divisional Commissioner, Collector, and local administration, and the Collector himself is visiting affected areas.'' Residents in low-lying regions have been relocated to safer areas.

In Gadchiroli, some regions lost connectivity with other district parts. Nagpur's divisional commissioner remains in contact with all district collectors to keep necessary systems on alert. The RMC issued a warning for intense rainfall in Bhandara, Nagpur, and Gondia districts for the next three hours and moderate flash flood warnings for Amaravati, Bhandara, Chandrapur, Gadchiroli, Gondia, and Nagpur districts.

The RMC predicts thunderstorms, lightning, and heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in the next 24 to 48 hours in multiple Vidarbha districts, advising people to stay indoors. A red alert has been issued for Chandrapur, with an orange alert for Nagpur, Amravati, and Wardha.

A red alert signifies heavy to extremely heavy rain of over 20 cm in 24 hours, while an orange alert means very heavy rain (6 cm to 20 cm). A red alert necessitates action in extreme weather situations, while an orange alert advises preparedness.

In Gadchiroli, eight roads, including the Allapalli-Bhamragad stretch of a national highway, were closed due to flooding.

(With inputs from agencies.)