Heavy rains devastate Maharashtra, Gujarat: Four killed, hundreds evacuated amid flood risk
Pune rains
At least four people have been killed amid heavy rains that hit parts of the Indian states ofMaharashtra and Gujarat. Thetorrential rain alsoforcedhundredstoevacuate.
IMD issues red alert
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for Mumbai and surrounding regions includingThane, Pune and Palghar. IMD has also issued a red alert for Vadodara, Gujarat with the level of the Vishwamitri River rising to 18.3 feet.
The National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) has been conducting evacuation operations in Gujarat since Tuesday.
As of Thursday (Jul 25) morning, areas in south and central Gujarat, including Surat, Bharuch, and Anand, have been struck by heavy rain. Train services in several regions of the state were also impacted.
Surat: Over 200 individuals relocated
Heavy rain in Gujarat'sSurat on Tuesday (Jul 23) led to widespread flooding in the city and isolated several villages.
The floods also promptedthe relocation of over 200 individuals, according to officials. Precautionary measures included blocking 132 roads in the district.
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The intense rainfall also reportedly resulted in six incidents of wall collapses in Gujaraton Tuesday and Wednesday.
Four killedin Pune due to heavy rains
In Pune, at least four people were killed, and nearly 400 others were evacuated on Thursday due to flooding along Sinhagad Road and other riverbank areas, caused by incessantrains, officials told the news agencyPTI.
On Wednesday night, three youngsters died from electrocution near Bhide Bridge in Puneafteran electric current entered stagnant floodwater.
Meanwhile, alandslide in Adharwadi village early on Thursday morning claimed one life. The Indian army has deployed two columns in the Sinhagad Road area which was severely affected by flooding.
In Maharashtra, four major rivers have surpassed their danger levels, prompting a high alert for riverside villages. According to the state irrigation department's data released on Thursday, the Kundalika River has risen to 24.50 metres, exceeding its danger threshold of 23.95 metres. Therefore, villages such as Roha, Kolad, Gowe, Pui, Wakan, Khargaon, and Dhatav face potential risks.
The Amba River at Nagothane Bandhara has also climbed to 10.40 metres, surpassing its danger level of 9.00 metres. As a result, Nagothane, Pali, and Unhere villages were said to beat risk.
(With inputs from agencies)
