Rain takes a break in Kolhapur and Sangli, over 2 lakh shifted to safer places

Maharashtra rains: In more relief to residents, the India Meteorological Department has predicted that neither district is likely to receive any rain in the next one week.

NDRF personnel shift flood affected villagers to Shri Gurudatta Sugar Factory, Shirol in Kolhapur district. (PTI Photo)

WITH no rain throughout Saturday and water discharge from Koyna dam reduced, residents of Kolhapur and Sangli have heaved a sigh of relief as the flood situation hasn’t escalated to the level of 2019, when it wreaked havoc in the two districts. Across the two districts, over 2 lakh people living along the rivers and in low-lying areas have been shifted to safer places.

In more relief to residents, the India Meteorological Department has predicted that neither district is likely to receive any rain in the next one week.

The Disaster Management Centre in Kolhapur.

In Sangli, over 80,000 people living in low-lying areas have been shifted to safer places while in Kolhapur, 1.2 lakh people were moved to relief camps and other places.

“Krishna river is flowing at the 51 feet mark at Irwin bridge in Sangli… on Friday, it was flowing at the danger mark of 45 feet, which it breached this morning. Water has entered the low-lying areas but we have already shifted the residents,” Sangli District Collector Abhijit Chaudhary told The Indian Express.

Also read | Maharashtra rains: Death toll rises to 76, over 59 missing

Till early morning, the collector said, they had shifted 78,000 people living along the Krishna river and in low-lying areas to relief camps. “By evening the figure has gone beyond 80,000,” he said. The administration has set up relief camps in schools, marriage halls and vacant buildings. The total villages affected by heavy rain stood at 89, said Chaudhary.

The collector said two NDRF teams have been deployed in the district, particularly in Walva taluka, from where many stranded residents have been rescued.

A flooded road at Tilak Chowk following heavy monsoon rains, in Sangli, Saturday, July 24, 2021. (PTI Photo)

“As of now, things are under control. We don’t expect a repeat of the 2019-flood situation but we are keeping a close watch,” he said.

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In Kolhapur, the district administration said rain has taken a break after four days and the water level in Panchganga river has gone down. “…By noon, it was flowing at 54 feet at Rajaram barrage, which is still way above its mark of 44 feet,” said a district official.

District Guardian Minister Satej Patil said, “In rural areas, we have shifted 1.2 lakh residents of 338 villages to relief camps. Of these, all residents of 34 villages were shifted while in 304 villages, some residents were shifted.”

Patil said in city areas, 20 wards out of 81 have been affected. “Over 5,000 residents from city areas have been moved to safer places,” he said.

Officials said the discharge from Koyna dam in Satara, which had reached 52,000 cusecs on Friday, has come down to 30,000 cusecs.

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“The rain has stopped. Radhanagari dam is 93 per cent full. Discharge from Koyna dam has been reduced. The discharge from Almatti dam in Karnataka has been stepped up to 3 lakh cusecs, which has helped in keeping the Panchganga water level from rising,” officials said, adding that 104 weirs are under water.

Meanwhile, several vehicles have been stranded on the Pune-Bengaluru National Highway since Friday, as some highway stretches at Uchgaon, Kognoli and other places are still submerged in water.

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Manoj Dattatrye More

Manoj Dattatrye More is a Senior Editor at The Indian Express, having been with the publication since 1992. Based in Pune, he is a veteran journalist with a 33-year career that spans editorial desk work, investigative reporting, and political analysis. Professional Legacy Experience: He spent his first 16 years on the editorial desk before moving into active field reporting. He has written over 20,000 stories, including more than 10,000 bylined articles. Impact Journalism: He is widely respected for "campaign-style" reporting that leads to tangible social change. Road Safety: His decade-long campaign regarding the dangerous state of the Pune-Mumbai highway in Khadki resulted in a ₹23 crore reconstruction project in 2006, which dramatically reduced fatalities. Environmental Protection: His reports against tree cutting on the Pune-Mumbai and Pune-Nashik highways saved approximately 2,000 trees. Anti-Corruption: During the COVID-19 pandemic, he exposed a scam where doctors were being asked to pay bribes for government jobs, resulting in them being hired without payment. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Manoj More's recent work focuses heavily on the shifting political landscape of Maharashtra and civic governance in the Pimpri-Chinchwad area: 1. Political Shifts & Alliances "Ajit Pawar's NCP continues domination in Pune, wins 10 of 17 local bodies" (Dec 21, 2025): A major report on the local self-government election results, detailing the NCP’s stronghold in Baramati, Indapur, and Lonavala. "BJP ropes in 13 ex-corporators, deals major blow to NCP" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on a significant political defection in Pimpri-Chinchwad as the BJP gears up for civic polls. "Congress opts for solo BMC run as alliance talks with Sena (UBT) collapse" (Dec 17, 2025): Covering the breakdown of Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) talks for the Mumbai civic elections. "NCP(SP)'s Rahul Kalate, Sena (UBT) leader Sanjog Waghere set to join BJP" (Dec 19, 2025): Detailing high-profile party-hopping ahead of the municipal elections. 2. Civic & Administrative Accountability "PCMC draws ire for issuing tenders worth Rs 250 crore just before poll code" (Dec 17, 2025): An investigative piece on the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation’s last-minute spending spree before election restrictions. "93 killed in 76 accidents in five years: Bypass service roads in Pune remain undeveloped for 18 yrs" (Nov 16, 2025): A critical look at the long-delayed infrastructure projects contributing to fatalities on Pune’s bypass roads. 3. Social & Labor Issues "As state says TCS has laid off 376 employees: FITE flags figures, say nearly 2,500 were forced to quit" (Dec 11, 2025): Investigating conflicting reports regarding IT sector layoffs in Maharashtra. "Maharashtra govt move to 'downgrade' Aadhaar cards" (Nov 30, 2025): Reporting on the state’s decision to require additional documents alongside Aadhaar to combat identity misuse. Signature Beat Manoj More is the definitive voice on Pimpri-Chinchwad, an industrial hub he has covered for three decades. His reporting is characterized by its aggressive stance against local "gondaism" (thuggery) and a relentless focus on civic infrastructure—choked drains, garbage management, and public transport. X (Twitter): @manojmore91982 ... Read More

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