Nagpur: Waterlogging in several places, more rains predicted for next 48-hours

Choked drainages, storm water pipes and overflowing nullahs filled several major thoroughfares with knee-deep water, forcing the authorities to close some of them for traffic. Vehicles parked along the road were submerged partly or fully with a bus virtually drowning in the water collected under a railway bridge.

The heavy showers put off power supply to many city areas, including the State Legislature in the Civil Lines area forcing adjournment for the day. Among the affected parts was also the Government Medical College, where water entered some of the wards.

Read | Maharashtra Assembly premises goes ‘powerless’, Houses fail to function

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis visited the disaster management control room and directed the authorities to keep strict vigil and “work in mission mode” to help people in emergencies. Holiday has been declared for schools on Saturday. In many areas, relief and rescue teams couldn’t initiate immediate operations due to heavy downpour. They told the callers that the operation to drain out water could be undertaken only after it stopped raining.

Widespread and heavy rains also affected normal life in Yavatmal, Bhandara and Gondia districts. (Express photo by Monica Chaturvedi)

Collector Ashwin Mudgal told The Indian Express, “All the three major rivulets Nag, Pili and Pora are overflowing affecting almost all areas on their banks. In Hudkeshwar area, 200 students stranded in a school were safely evacuated. Another operation to evacuate 200 people at Kirimiti village in Hingna tehsil was also undertaken. Over 263 mm rains were recorded in six hours beginning 8 30 am and in all likelihood the 1994 record of 304 mm rains in 24 hours will be broken. The situation will continue to be grim as heavy downpour is forecast for next two days.”

Chandrapur was the second most affected district in Vidarbha. Collector Ashutosh Salil said, “several parts of the city and towns in the district were flooded. 10 migrant workers employed on tower erection work were rescued from tree tops where they had taken refuge to save themselves from surging waters at Khambada in Varora tehsil. Several bus services were cancelled on various routs in the district.”

Widespread and heavy rains also affected normal life in Yavatmal, Bhandara and Gondia districts. The severity was much less in Gadchiroli district.

A press note from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) said that a rescue team had safely pulled out 560 students and 35 teachers from the Adarsh Sanskar Vidylay of Hudkeshkar area submerged in flood waters. Similarly, 17 persons were rescued from Narsala area. In yet another operation another rescue team managed to save 265 villagers at Kirimiti at Hingana tehsil of the district. In all 877 people were rescued in the district the press note said.

As reports last came in, rescue operation was on at three villages in the district, Mahalgaon, Shevni and Ruikheda, where a total of 14 persons have been marooned. Collector Mudgal confirmed two deaths by lightning strikes in rural parts of the district.