Deputy CM Ajit Pawar Reviews Rain and Flood Situation Across Maharashtra from Mantralaya
Decision to release water from Khadakwasla early in the morning instead of at night for citizen safety: Ajit Pawar
Mumbai : Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, on Thursday, informed that the capacity of Khadakwasla Dam is about 3.75 TMC. Due to the rain in Pune district over the last two-three days, the dam was already 50% full. Yesterday, there was 8 inches of rain in the upper area and 5 inches in the catchment area of the dam throughout the day and night. Generally, water is released when the dam is about 75% full. However, more than 3 TMC of water has entered the dam from the upper area. Hence, there was no opportunity to release water earlier. To avoid disturbing citizens in their sleep and for their convenience and safety, water from the Khadakwasla dam was released early in the morning instead of at night.
Pawar reviewed the rain and flood situation in various parts of the state including Pune from the control room in the Mantralaya. He canceled all other Mantralaya meetings and rushed for Pune. In view of the heavy rainfall and resulting flood situation in Pune city and district, he will personally lead the rescue and relief operations.
Schools in areas with heavy rainfall, including Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad city areas, Bhor, Velha, and Mulshi, have been given a holiday. Previously, due to low water levels in the Varasgaon, Temghar, Khadakwasla, and Panshet dams in Pune district, there was only enough water to supply the city for a short time, so releasing water was not an issue. However, now these dam areas are also receiving heavy rain, which may require releasing water. Considering this entire situation, citizens are being alerted. Landslides have occurred in the Mulshi area, and some incidents of loss of life have also been reported, Pawar informed.
While providing information about the flood situation and rescue operations, Pawar mentioned that there was heavy rainfall in the Khadakwasla and Pune areas. Due to extensive asphalting and concreting in Pune city, except for areas belonging to the Forest Department, hills, and government buildings, there are few open spaces. Therefore, the water absorption in the soil was reduced after two-three days of rain. The water carrying capacity of the rivers flowing through the city is limited. As a result, some areas along the riverbanks, low-lying areas like Nagar Road, Ektanagar, etc., have waterlogging. Water has entered buildings, basements, and vehicles in these areas. Citizens are being evacuated to safe locations from the upper floors of buildings where they are safe.
Pawar emphasized that the highest priority is to rescue citizens from the current difficulties. Rescue operations to save citizens from the flood situation are being carried out on a war footing. All senior officers in the district have reached the flood-affected areas. Along with him, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Minister of Relief and Rehabilitation Anil Patil, Central Minister Murlidhar Mohol, and MLA Madhuri Misal are continuously reviewing the rescue and relief operations. All disaster management systems have been mobilized for citizen relief and rehabilitation. Assistance and rescue operations are ongoing at various locations, he added.
The weather department has forecasted the next five days. Accordingly, some districts have been given an orange alert, while others have received a yellow alert. Hence, all state mechanisms have been put on alert. Necessary supplies for aid and rescue operations are available in the affected areas if required. National Disaster Response Force teams are deployed at 18 locations, and 6 State Disaster Response Force teams are stationed in districts like Kurla and Ghatkopar in Mumbai, Thane, Raigad, Palghar, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, Satara, and Sangli, as informed by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.
