Heavy Rain triggers Flooding, Landslides Across Maharashtra

Mumbai: Heavy rains continued to batter Maharashtra with normal life being disrupted across several districts of Maharashtra. Flood-like conditions have emerged in many areas, with rivers breaching danger levels. Weather authorities have warned that heavy rain, strong winds and rough sea conditions are likely to continue over the coming days.

As a precautionary measure amidst the heavy rainfall, the State Government declared a holiday on Monday for schools and colleges in Mumbai, Thane, Palghar and Raigad districts. Mumbai city recorded 57 mm of rainfall, while the suburbs recorded 90 mm. Waterlogging was observed in several low-lying areas in the city. Local trains were running 15–20 minutes late due to waterlogging on the tracks between Nalasopara and Vasai on Western Railway. While traffic between Mumbai and Pune was restored, traffic on the Mumbai-Nashik highway was affected following a landslide in the Kasara Ghat section.

In Konkan region, Palghar district bore the brunt of heavy rains with Dahanu recording a massive 399 mm of rainfall. The Surya and Vaitarna rivers have crossed the danger mark and flooding in the Tansa River has created flood-like conditions in several areas. Power supply was disrupted in the Vasai, Virar, Saphale and Wada regions.

In Raigad’s Poladpur taluka, 70 residents have been relocated to safety after cracks appeared on the Naneghol hill. The Savitri River in Mahad and the Jagbudi River in the Dapoli area are flowing above the danger level. Soil beneath the gabion bridge in Ratnagiri’s Parshuram Ghat washed away and a landslide occurred at Shelarwadi.

Nashik district witnessed torrential rains with Igatpuri recording the highest rainfall at 200 mm. Other talukas like Trimbakeshwar (125 mm) and Surgana (149 mm) also received heavy rainfall. For safety reasons, the famous Saptashrungi Gad and the Trimbakeshwar Temple premises in the district were closed to devotees. Connectivity to over 40 villages has been severed after a bridge on the Trimbakeshwar-Khodala route was washed away. Due to the rising water level of the Godavari River, police security has been deployed along the river bed at Ramkund area.

In Pune district, the Pabe Ghat road has been completely closed following a landslide in Velhe village. The Varadi Bridge on the Pune-Panshet route has been washed away due to the downpour. The rains have also affected the Pune Metro, with reports of water leakage at the Swargate Metro station. Water discharge from the Khadakwasla Dam has commenced following a significant rise in water levels across the district’s 22 dams.

Landslides in the Kandati Valley of Satara district have cut off access to 16 villages and the Ambenali Ghat – connecting Poladpur and Mahabaleshwar – has been completely closed to traffic for the next month. In Kolhapur, the water level of the Panchganga River has reached 35 feet, while heavy rainfall continues in the vicinity of the Chandoli Dam in Sangli.

While floods are wreaking havoc in the Konkan and Western Maharashtra regions, many parts of Marathwada and Vidarbha are still awaiting substantial rainfall. This stark disparity in rainfall has left farmers anxious, and sowing operations have been delayed in several areas.