Pune weather: Orange alert issued as heavy rain leads to increase in dam water levels
Pune and its surrounding region have received intense to very intense rain in the last 24 hours, which has led to a rapid increase in dam water levels. As of 8.30 am on Wednesday, Shivajinagar received 39.9 mm of rainfall, and the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an orange alert (be prepared) for the day, especially in the ghat areas of the district.
At present, the monsoon trough passes through Bikaner, Sikar (both in Rajasthan), Gwalior (in Madhya Pradesh), Ranchi (in Jharkhand) and Digha (in West Bengal) and Maharashtra has been witnessing renewed heavy rains as a result. The automatic weather station at Mahabaleshwar recorded 152 mm of rainfall, while Matheran reported 124 mm of rainfall. Lohegaon’s weather station recorded 40.8 mm of rainfall. The Khadakwasla dam in Pune is currently 80 per cent full, so the dam gates have been opened to release water.
In Kolhapur district, all four dams are currently operating at over 60 per cent capacity. Dams such as Radhanagari and Tulsi have started discharging water. The water levels in the Panchganga and Warna rivers have risen, causing the water levels at the bridges leading to the city to increase as well. The district administration is closely monitoring the water levels to prevent any calamities.
Heavy rains pounded Maharashtra’s Pune city overnight and on Tuesday morning, causing waterlogging in many areas.
Seven goats died after being swept away in the flood waters in Kanhur Mesai area of Shirur tehsil, they said.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Shivajinagar witnessed 104 mm rainfall in about five hours till 3 am on Tuesday, while Magarpatta received 116 mm downpour and Pashan recorded 94 mm of rainfall during the same period.
Waterlogging was witnessed in many areas including Hadapsar, Market Yard, Sinhgad Road, NIBM Road, B T Kawade Road, Katraj, Deccan, Karve Nagar, Kothrud, Kondhwa and Peth.
Twenty families staying near the Karha river in Jalgaon Kathe Pathar village of Baramati tehsil were also shifted after the river swelled following the release of water at the rate of 35,000 cubic foot per second (cusec) from the Nazre dam, district officials said.
IMD’s weather forecasting department head Anupam Kashyapi said the satellite images revealed “there was enough moisture in the state.”
The city is expected to stay cloudy with lightning and thunder activity in the evening along with light to moderate rainfall, he said.