Massive Flooding in Pune Forces Evacuation of 400 Residents

Approximately 400 people were evacuated from Sinhagad Road and nearby areas in Pune due to severe flooding caused by continuous rain. Efforts to manage the crisis involved army personnel, the NDRF, and local disaster management teams. The IMD has issued a red alert for further heavy rains.

About 400 people were evacuated to safety on Thursday following flooding in Sinhagad Road and some other areas along the riverbank in Pune city due to incessant rains, officials said.

Two columns of the Army were deployed in Sinhagad Road area which was severely affected by flooding, they said.

Besides, teams of the NDRF, fire brigade as well as the district and city disaster management cells were pressed into service to carry out relief operations.

Water entered several housing societies and houses in low-lying areas along the Sinhagad Road. Cars and two-wheelers stood in water.

Around 400 people from Sinhagad Road area have been shifted to safety, stated Suhas Divase, district collector.

Army personnel were assisting with relief operations in Ekta Nagar in Sinhagad Road area, Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) officials said.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for Pune district for the next 48 hours, with heavy rains expected to continue later in the day in the catchment areas of Khadakwasla and other upstream dams, potentially necessitating more water release from Khadakwasla reservoir, increasing the water level in the Mutha river flowing through the city, the collector mentioned.

Tourist attractions such as waterfalls and lakes in Pune district have been closed to tourists.

There were no reports of any village in the district being cut off due to the rains, Divase added.

Schools, private establishments, and offices in affected areas have been advised to give a holiday to their employees.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar visited the PMC's disaster management cell to take stock of the situation.

(With inputs from agencies.)