Heavy rains prompted landslides and flash floods in four states on Thursday, disrupting daily life and prompting officials to send in the army and disaster response forces to rescue hundreds of stranded people as the number of rain-related events rose.
The incessant rainfall also had an impact on infrastructure in Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat, and Uttarakhand, inundating houses, blocking key highways, damaging structures, and causing waterlogging on arterial roads, with the weather department warning of more rain, according to people familiar with the situation.
The Pune district, which had 109mm of rainfall in 24 hours compared to the average of 10.4mm for this period, reported at least four deaths as storms overwhelmed low-lying residential complexes and prompted landslides in the Western Ghats.
“As of now, four deaths have been reported, of which three were due to electrocution and one due to a landslide. In addition, three people are reported to be trapped in Lavasa city after a mudslide. Our teams are deployed there, and rescue operations are going on,’’ said District Collector Suhas Diwse.
Residents in the district said that civic apathy exacerbated the problem and resulted in flood of their areas. “A bridge is being built in the area, and debris is left unattended.” As a result, water altered its flow and reached our neighborhood,” claimed Amit Deshmukh, a resident.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar assessed the rescue activities in Pune and promised residents that the government will provide aid.
“Keeping a tab on the heavy rainfall situation in and around Pune… Also instructed the officials to provide all assistance to the citizens. We are monitoring the entire situation and I would like to assure everyone that the state govt is working around the clock to provide help in all aspects,” Ajit Pawar said wrote on X. He further stated that army troops, in addition to National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) personnel, had been sent to assist with the rescue efforts.
“Additional Army columns have also been kept on standby, prepared to be deployed at short notice as the situation develops. Southern Command of the Indian Army is closely monitoring the situation in close coordination with the civil administration and other government agencies,” stated the army in a statement.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a’red alert’—the most severe—for the next 24 hours, resulting in the closure of schools and institutions in Pune on Friday.
Heavy rainfall also caused major waterlogging in Mumbai and disrupted aviation operations, causing numerous flights to be cancelled and diverted.
Raigad and Palghar districts in Maharashtra were also on high alert as many rivers, including Kundalika, rose over the danger line, interrupting communication networks, authorities said, adding that one person died in Alibag city.
Chief minister Eknath Shinde stated “I also spoke with Army and Navy officials, and they have kept their units ready for any situation. We have prepared to airlift the people during the rescue operations. I have ordered the district administration in flood-affected areas to use funds from district planning and development funds,” he said.