Heavy Rains Cause Havoc in Pune and Mumbai

Heavy rains have been lashing down on several parts of Maharashtra, with cities like Mumbai and Pune bearing the brunt of the downpour. This has led to significant waterlogging, causing traffic jams and delays in both flights and train services.

Due to the relentless rain, the district administration has taken the decision to close all schools and colleges in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad on Friday. The rainfall has been intense, with several areas of Mumbai reportedly receiving over 100 mm of rain by early afternoon.

Malpa Dongri in Andheri topped the charts with 157 mm of rainfall, while Paspoli in Powai and Dindoshi followed closely with 155 mm and 154 mm, respectively. The rain has caused serious flooding in various residential neighborhoods in Pune’s Pimpri-Chinchwad area, leading to tragic incidents where four lives have been lost.

Pune’s District Magistrate, Suhas Divsae, has called in army personnel to assist local authorities in speeding up relief operations. Teams from the Indian Army have been deployed to evacuate people from severely affected areas and help relocate them to safety.

So far, around 400 individuals have been evacuated, with two army columns focusing their efforts on the Sinhagad Road area, which has been hit particularly hard by flooding. In addition, teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), fire brigade, and disaster management cells have been actively engaged in relief efforts.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has mentioned that if the situation gets worse, plans are in place to airlift those affected by the rain to safety in Pune. The continuous rain has submerged many homes and colonies in the low-lying areas, creating an urgent need for assistance.