Pune Rains Highlights: City braces for more rain as IMD sounds ‘orange’ alert; 3,000 shifted to shelters

A day after parts of the city witnessed a flood-like situation, affected residents were toiled hard to clean their houses and commercial spaces through the day. However, they also expressed outrage over the poor management of the situation by government agencies due to which they suffered a loss of property.

The most affected area of the city was Ekta Nagari on Sinhagad road where water gushed in during the wee hours from Mutha river and rose to a height of around ten feet. The situation created a frenzy as residents had to run to safety the administration failed to inform them on time, and they were in deep sleep when the flooding began.

The civic administration also helped clean up properties with jetting machines and provided drinking water through tankers and a mobile medical clinic for affected residents.

With the water level rising in Krishna River in Sangli district, the Southern Command of the Indian Army has deployed a column of around 100 soldiers consisting of infantry troops, medical team, and engineers after the district administration sought assistance.

With the increased discharge of water from Koyna and Chandoli dams, the water level in the Krishna river in Sangli is rising. “An Army column of approximately 100 soldiers consisting of infantry troops, medical team, and engineers has moved for deployment at Sangli district based on assistance sought by the District Collector, Sangli,” a note from the Defence PRO, Pune, read.

The deployment in Sangli comes a day after the Army deployed rescue and relief column in Ekta Nagar area of Pune. The Pune-headquartered Southern Command is closely monitoring the situation in its area of responsibility.

The Bombay High Court Friday pulled up an Assistant Police Inspector (API) from Satara Police for his letter to a college principal seeking action against a professor, who referred to the book “Shivaji Kon Hota” by late activist Govind Pansare to pacify students when they allegedly attacked another professor over a speech.

The court questioned the police as to what kind of democracy it was and whether an offense was made out despite the petitioner having claimed her right under Article 19(1)(a) for freedom of speech and expression.

It said how the Police manual or Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) can go beyond the constitutional rights of the petitioner professor and said the same was “not tolerable”.

Police have filed a chargesheet against seven accused in the Porsche car accident case, including the parents of a minor boy who was allegedly behind the wheel, in a Pune court, more than two months after the fatal crash, an official said on Friday.

The 900-page chargesheet, submitted on Thursday, has excluded the 17-year-old boy, whose case is being handled separately by the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB).

"We have filed a 900-page chargesheet against seven accused, including the parents of the minor, two doctors and a staffer from Sassoon General Hospital, and two middlemen, in a Pune court on Thursday," said Shalesh Balkawade, Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime).

The boy's parents and two Sassoon General Hospital doctors -- Ajay Taware, then-HOD of the forensic medicine department, and Dr Shrihari Halnor -- and one Atul Ghatkamble, a staffer at the Maharashtra government-run medical facility, are accused of swapping the blood samples of the minor with those of his mother after the crash.

The voluminous police document contains statements from 50 witnesses. (PTI)

Sai Ashok set to become youngest Indian to officiate Paris Games boxing events New Delhi, Jul 26 (PTI) India's former international boxer Kabilan Sai Ashok will become the youngest from the country to officiate in the Paris Olympics after he was appointed as Referee Judge for the sporting showpiece beginning on Friday.

The 32-year-old is only the fourth Indian since 1904 to officiate at the Olympics and the first to have represented the country as a player and an official at a World Championship event.

Sai Ashok, who works as a boxing administrator at the Army Sports Institute in Pune, is also the first Indian to become the president of the World Military Boxing Council.

He also holds the record of being the only Indian referee to have been fast-tracked from two-star to three-star status.

The last Indian to officiate at the Olympics was in 2012 London.

“Fake bank accounts in your name are being used for money laundering, sextortion, and human trafficking. You will be arrested in the case,” a 68-year-old Pune man was told. On this pretext, cyber criminals duped the man of Rs 9.35 lakh in a ‘drugs in parcel’ scam. The victim lodged an FIR in this case at Kothrud police station on Thursday.

As per the FIR, the complainant is a retired man living with his wife in Kothrud, while his son lives abroad. On July 10, 2024, a man claiming to be a courier company staffer rang up the complainant saying a parcel in his name, going from Mumbai to Thailand, was found to be carrying “150 gm MDMA, illegal drugs, five passports, three credit cards, four kg clothes.”

The complainant denied sending any such parcel. After a while, a man in uniform posing as a policeman made a video call to the complainant on WhatsApp as part of an “inquiry” about the seizure of drugs. The complainant was told that a case has been registered against his Aadhaar card and fake bank accounts in his name are being used for “money laundering, sextortion, and human trafficking”.

The ruling alliance in Maharashtra will win the upcoming assembly polls due to its development work and welfare schemes, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said on Friday.

Over the last two years, the ruling alliance, comprising the Shiv Sena, BJP, and the Ajit Pawar-led NCP, had accelerated the pace of development work and implementation of welfare schemes, he said after inducting Shiv Sena (UBT) functionaries from Thane into his party.

Speaking about the floods witnessed in Pune on Thursday, the CM said he had ordered the district administration to speed up the removal of dirt and slush from all areas to provide relief to people and to prevent the spread of ailments.

Pune police filed a 900-page chargesheet in a court in the Porsche car accident case.

On June 18, Pune city policeon submitted a “final report” on the Porsche car accident case before the Juvenile Justice Board. The final report has details pertaining to the evidence of the minor boy’s involvement in the Porsche car accident, a senior police officer said.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for Raigad, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, Pune, and Satara districts of Maharashtra for Saturday, indicating the possibility of heavy to very heavy showers, while Mumbai saw a lull in rain activity on Friday.

The districts with orange alerts are expected to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places.

There is no orange alert for any district of Maharashtra from July 28 to 30, the IMD said.

Pune city and other parts of the western Maharashtra district, including Velha, Mulshi, Bhor talukas, and catchment areas of several dams, witnessed incessant rains on Thursday.

Express Photo by Arul Horizon

Yuva Sena, the youth wing of the Shiv Sena (UBT), suffered a setback in the Thane district of Maharashtra on Friday as five of its office-bearers tendered their resignation alleging infighting.

In their resignation letter addressed to Yuva Sena chief Aaditya Thackeray, its sub-district head Arjun Dabhi, city officer Kiran Jadhav and three others said the current internal bickering in the organisation has undermined their efforts.

Kedar Dighe, the Thane district unit chief of the Shiv Sena (UBT), said, "Sena supremo late Balasaheb Thackeray and party leader late Anand Dighe did not give any value to those who quit the party...The new generation is ready to carry forward the ideals of Balasaheb and Dighe." Kedar Dighe is the nephew of Anand Dighe. (PTI)

As the recent heavy rain pelted Pune, turning streets into streams and homes into islands, the RESQ Charitable Trust team emerged as a beacon of hope for the animals in distress.

Armed with boats and rescue personnel, the RESQ Charitable Trust team embarked on a mission to ensure the safety and well-being of every animal in need and made a significant impact in low-lying areas like Karve, Deccan, Koregaon Park, and Pimpri Chinchwad.

Through Thursday, over 30 animals were rescued by the RESQ Charitable Trust team in collaboration with the Pune Fire Department and the PCMC.

The RESQ Charitable Trust can be contacted on the helpline – 9172511100. Read More

A sum of Rs 7.76 lakhs was stolen by unknown persons from the ATM machine of Muslim Co-operative Bank located on MG Road in the Pune Camp area.

Sarfaraz Tadvi (55) lodged the FIR in this case at Lashkar police station on Thursday. As per the FIR, the incident took place between July 20 and 24. Police said two cash cassette boxes inside the kiosk were found to be stolen without tampering or damaging the machine.

Police sub inspector Mahendra Kamble said, “We suspect that the accused persons have used duplicate keys to steal the cash along with the cassette boxes. CCTV cameras at the kiosk were not functional at the time of theft."

sub-inspector

Kamble said the investigation was underway to identify the accused persons.

The Bombay High Court on Friday rejected pleas for default bail or bail on technical grounds filed by five accused, including advocate Surendra Gadling, in the Elgar Parishad Maoist links case.

A division bench of Justices Ajay Gadkari and Shyam Chandak rejected the applications filed by Gadling, Shoma Sen, Mahesh Raut, Sudhir Dhawade, and Rona Wilson.

Gadling originally filed an application for default bail in 2018 in the sessions court when the Pune police were investigating the case.

The application termed the 90-day extension granted by the sessions court to the police for filing a chargesheet as "illegal", and hence, the accused were entitled to bail under the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC).

The case relates to alleged inflammatory speeches delivered at the Elgar Parishad conclave held in Pune on December 31, 2017, which the police claimed triggered violence the next day near the Koregaon-Bhima war memorial in Pune district.

The Pune police also claimed Maoists backed the conclave. The probe was later transferred to the NIA.

Kargil Vijay Diwas Rajat Jayanti, the silver jubilee of India’s victory in the Kargil War against Pakistan, was celebrated with great pride and fervour by the Southern Command. A wreath-laying ceremony was also organised on the occasion at the Southern Command War Memorial in Pune.

"The occasion marks the 25th anniversary of the Indian Army’s glorious victory in the Kargil War, a conflict that is a reminiscence of undaunted bravery and courage of the Bravehearts who inscribed a golden chapter in history with their blood and supreme sacrifice," a press statement issued by the Southern Command said.

In a solemn ceremony organised at the Command War Memorial, Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Command, paid his tribute to the valour and sacrifice of our fallen heroes by laying a wreath.

The Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) in Maharashtra conducted raids at three locations in the Palghar district and seized material worth Rs 1.41 crore from a pharma company after finding that it did not have a licence to manufacture drugs in the state, officials said on Friday.

The raids were conducted in Vasai taluka of the district at the units of Gaharwar Pharma Products Pvt Ltd, they said.

The company had obtained a licence to manufacture Ayurvedic drugs in Haryana. However, it was producing these medicines in Vasai without the permission to do so, the FDA said in its release.

The drugs that were supposed to be manufactured in Haryana were shown to be sold to Onkar Pharma in Punjab. However, Onkar Pharma was found operating from Vasai and was distributing drugs from there by fraudulently showing the place of dispatch as Jalandhar, it said.

Investigation into the case was underway and suitable legal action will be taken against the manufacturer after completion of the probe, it said.

An NGO came to the rescue of a 60-year-old woman who was allegedly being harassed by her son over property in Maharashtra's Latur district.

According to an official of the NGO, the woman has two sons and a 35-year-old married daughter.

She was living with her younger son at her home on the outskirts of Latur city after her husband's death a few years ago.

Later, her daughter and 7-year-old granddaughter also started staying there after the daughter allegedly faced abuse at her matrimonial home, he said.

However, the woman's younger son often troubled her as he wanted the house to be transferred in his name, said, Sharad Zare, who runs the ‘Majha Ghar Ashram' in Ausa tehsil for destitute children.

“I suffered a lot of trouble after my husband's death. I'm happy here,” said the woman, thanking Zare and his wife Sangeeta. (PTI)

Union Minister Murlidhar Mohol on Friday said information about the water discharge from Khadakwasla dam should have been given in advance to people living in the low-lying Sinhgad Road area, which experienced flooding as rains wreaked havoc in Pune.

The Pune Lok Sabha MP, who flew in from Delhi on Thursday to take stock of the flood situation, interacted with residents of the flood-hit Ekta Nagar in the Sinhgad Road area.

Mohol, the former mayor of Pune, said, "Around 40,000 to 50,000 cusecs of water was discharged from Khadakwasla reservoir. If such a large quantity of water was to be released, citizens and the civic administration should have been alerted about it. This was the concerned department's fault." He claimed a "communication gap" in informing about the water discharge.

The district administration has been instructed to assess the damages people suffered, and an immediate aid of Rs 5,000 will be disbursed to the affected people. After the assessments, the exact estimate of losses will be ascertained, he said.

According to an X post by Pune Municipal Corporation, the discharge from the dam spillway into the Mutha river basin will be reduced to 4,708 cusecs at 4 p.m. However, adjustments may be made based on the amount of rainfall, the post said.

The Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) on Friday said due to heavy rain, the turbidity of the Pawana river water has increased, leading to a technical failure at the Ravet Pumping House. The PCMC added that repair work is on.

The civic body further said that due to the repair work, the water supply is delayed in some areas. The water pressure is also low, the PCMC said, adding that the timing of the water supply has also been affected and different areas are receiving water at different times.

Shrikant Savane, PCMC Chief Engineer of the Water Supply Department, urged citizens to use water judiciously. Savane added, “Due to heavy rains in the dam and river areas, the turbidity of the river water has increased significantly. This has caused a technical failure in the pumping system at the Ravet Pumping House. Repair work is underway and the water supply will be delayed and will come at a reduced pressure and quantity.” Read More

The Lavasa landslide rescue operations underway as NDRF 'Team 50' has been deployed in the efforts to evacuate or/and rescue citizens.

Source X/@5Ndrf

A high-level committee headed by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday approved several disaster mitigation and capacity building projects for various states that include combating urban flooding and checking glacial lake outburst floods.

The committee gave its nod to nine proposals for funding from National Disaster Mitigation Fund (NDMF) and National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF).

Among the proposals approved include six projects in Telangana, Gujarat, Karnataka, West Bengal and Maharashtra at a total cost of Rs 2514.36 crore for urban floor management.

The six cities where the funds will be spent are Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad and Pune, according to an official statement.

The committee also considered a proposal to implement Yuva Aapda Mitra Scheme in all the 28 states.

PCMC has urged for citizens in low lying areas to stay on alert as discharge of water may cause flooding and major water logging.

Here are the areas which may incur impact

📍Bopodi

📍Pulachi Wadi

📍Patil Estate

📍Dattawadi

📍Sinhagad Road

📍Katraj

📍Karvenagar

📍Narayan Peth

📍Kasba Peth

📍Rajput locality

14 crew members of a tugboat that had drifted in the Arabian Sea off the Alibag coast in Maharashtra’s Raigad district have been rescued, a police official said on Friday.

The rescue operation of the crew from the small carrier operated by JSW Group was launched with the help of the Coast Guard, he said.

A chopper of the Coast Guard was engaged in the operation, which started around 9 am, and all the 14 crew members of the tugboat were safely evacuated, said Somnath Gharge, Raigad Superintendent of Police.

Deputy Chief Minister and Pune guardian minister Ajit Pawar on Thursday said that there was no reason to connect the ongoing Riverfront Development (RFD) project with flooding of Mutha river which was caused mainly due to record rainfall in a short time in and around Pune.

Incidentally, there is a court stay on taking up any new work of RFD in the city till there is a final decision on it. Citizen activists have challenged the RFD saying that not only will it allow flooding in the city as the carrying capacity of the riverbed will reduce, but will also damage the biodiversity existing in and around the river.

They have also accused the civic body of violating the submission made while seeking permission for RFD.

The Pune City Fire brigade rescued around 254 people and responded to a total 25 incidents of water entering buildings and houses.

These included calls from Warje, Swami Vivekananda Society and Future Society, in Shivane, Sadguru Society, and on Sinhagad Road, at locations like Sarita Nagar, Ekta Nagar, and three other societies, Nadipatra (Riverside) Road, near Rajput Vitbhatti, Ganj Peth, Chand Tara Chowk in Shivajinagar, Karve Nagar, Pulachi Wadi, Patil Estate among others.

As torrential rain continues to batter Pune and its surrounding regions, supply and sales of fresh fruit and vegetable in Pune’s wholesale market was severely hit on Thursday.

The rains have caused damage to crops over 68,457.27 hectares of farms.

📍Chandrapur, Jalgaon, Wardha, Amravati, Buldhana Bhandara, Dhule, Washim, Akola are among the 18 districts which have reported crop damage.

📍Crops like soyabean, cotton, tur, rice,vegetables and onions have sustained damage.

📍The extent of damage is expected to be revealed once the surveys are completed.

Municipal Commissioner Shekhar Singh speaking to The Indian Express said, "We have issued an alert to people living in low lying areas and along Pavana and Mula rivers. There is a possibility of an increase in discharge from both Pavana and Mula rivers later in the night.”

Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation said, “By afternoon, irrigation officials were discharging 1,400 cusecs of water from Pavana which has been filled to 80 per cent of its capacity. The Mula dam discharge was 7,500 cusecs by afternoon and is likely to go up to 10,000 cusecs. In view of these increases, we have issued the alert.”

As many as 11 flights were cancelled and ten diverted to nearby airports from here on Thursday as heavy rains continued to lash Mumbai.

Runway operations at the Mumbai airport had to be halted twice as the visibility dropped to 300 meters, even as airlines issued advisories to passengers to arrive early at the airport in view of traffic congestion and water-logging in parts of the metropolis.

"Runway operations were first halted for 11 minutes from 8.32 am to 8.43 am, and then again for 19 minutes from 10.36 am to 10.55 am due to adverse weather and low visibility, which dropped to 300 meters and Runway Visual Range (RVR) at 500 meters with heavy rains," said an airport source. PTI

With continued downpours affecting Pune District, particularly around the Khadakwasla dam, Pune Collector Suhas Diwase has declared a holiday for schools and colleges on Friday. Meteorological forecasts predict further rainfall in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad. Teaching and non-teaching staff are required to report to assist district administration and disaster response teams as needed. Earlier, Minister of Technical and Higher Education Chandrakant Patil had also addressed the situation.

In a continued response to severe weather conditions, all schools and colleges in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad will remain closed on Friday. However, teachers and non-teaching staff are required to be present for administrative duties.

In light of severe flooding, all schools in Pune will remain closed on Friday. Minister Chandrakant Patil announced the decision on Thursday morning to prevent confusion among parents. Heavy rains since Wednesday have led to the evacuation of over 2,000 residents, with government schools now serving as temporary shelters. A red alert from IMD remains in effect for Friday.

On Thursday, the historic Omkareshwar Temple in Pune was submerged due to relentless rainfall, raising concerns among devotees and locals. Emergency services are on alert as water levels continue to rise.

(Express photograph by Arul Horizon)

On Thursday, heavy rains caused significant flooding at a railway underpass in Range Hills, Pune. Commuters faced delays as water levels rose, obstructing traffic. Authorities are assessing the situation to ensure safety and restore normal operations.

(Express photograph by Arul Horizon)

After the heavy rain in the catchment area of Pune’s Khadakwasla dam on Wednesday night took authorities by surprise, Dy CM Ajit Pawar directed the water resources department to keep the reservoir only half full. This directive comes in the wake of flooding in some areas in Pune on Thursday morning after excess water was released from the reservoir on Wednesday night.

Khadakwasla dam is upstream of Mutha River and Pune city. After water levels in the reservoir rose rapidly on Wednesday night with an inflow of 20,000 cusecs of water, authorities released 35,000 cusecs from the dam on Thursday, said Pawar, the guardian minister of Pune. This, along with the heavy rain in the city, led to a flood-like situation in several parts of Pune, he added.

Incessant rainfall unleashes widespread devastation in Pune and its surrounding areas. NDRF deployed to evacuate affected residents from housing societies and low-lying areas.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Pune Guardian Minister Ajit Pawar visited the Ekta Nagar area which has been among the worst affected due to flooding.

“Instructions are that the dam should be filled only up to 75 per cent of its capacity and excess water should be released in the river. However, the Khadakwasla dam is small in size with a capacity of 2.75 TMC so it gets filled faster than other dams. So, the instructions are to fill Khadakwasla dam to 50 per cent of its capacity and release excess water into the Mutha River so that a situation like today is not reported,” Pawar said.

Patil estate is submerged, forcing many people to seek shelter under the bridge and in the mosque. (Express Photo by Arul Horizon)

Due to torrential rains in Pune, the administration has been compelled to open the gates of the Khadakwasla dam. This decision aims to manage rising water levels and prevent potential flooding in surrounding areas. Residents are advised to stay alert and follow safety guidelines.

Around two-three persons are feared to be trapped inside the collapsed house.

Swach, the waste pickers' collective in Pune, has announced a disruption in door-to-door waste collection for the coming days due to severe flooding affecting many waste pickers' homes. Over 600 waste pickers from the Patil Estate Slums have been evacuated as water has entered their residences.

In a press statement, Swach urged citizens to cooperate with waste pickers during this difficult time and to offer direct assistance if possible. Many waste pickers had to leave their belongings behind, fearing loss and damage from the floodwaters. The Patil Estate Slums, located alongside the Mula River, are routinely evacuated during high tide each year.

Fifty individuals were rescued from Tapodham in Warje and relocated to temporary accommodation provided by the Pune civic body.

Deputy chief minister and District Guardian Minister Ajit Pawar visited the Pune Police Commissionerate to assess the ongoing relief and rescue operations prompted by heavy rainfall. During the visit, he engaged with top police officials and government representatives to discuss the current situation and response efforts.

The Indian Army said on Thursday that amidst incessant rainfall that has inundated low-lying areas of Pune, the rescue and relief column of the Army has been dispatched to Ekta Nagari area of Pune following requisition of the civil administration. Pune-headquartered Southern Command is closely monitoring the situation.

"The Army column comprises Infantry troops, Engineer task force, and medical personnel, fully equipped with rescue boats and essential healthcare services to assist the affected people, ensuring prompt and effective support. Indian Air Force is also on standby for any likely contingencies. Indian Armed Forces are fully prepared and equipped to assist the Civil administration." a press statement from the Army said.

Officials said that 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 Govt agencies. Request for the provision of Army assistance was received on July 25. Accordingly, the task force was proactively dispatched to the affected area. The column has an approximate strength of 95 personnel fully equipped with troops from Infantry units, Engineer Regiments, medical teams from Military hospitals, and other specialized elements. Army personnel are fully involved in the rescue and relief effort."

A minor landslide in Asane, Ambegaon taluka, temporarily blocked the Malin to Kumbhewadi road. Authorities promptly cleared the debris, restoring traffic flow and ensuring safety for commuters.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a ‘red alert’ for Mumbai and the neighbouring districts of Thane and Raigad, predicting heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in isolated areas till tomorrow morning. Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde stated that preparations are in place for potential airlifting operations and urged residents to cooperate with authorities and move to safer locations. He stated “Work is being done to open the Andheri subway which is closed right now. I appeal to Mumbaikars not to venture outside, if not required.” Additionally, SpiceJet, Air India, and IndiGo announced potential flight disruptions, and local trains are operating at reduced speeds due to low visibility and high winds.

What’s the situation in Mumbai? Due to the heavy rains, Vehar Lake, one of the seven lakes supplying water to Mumbai, began overflowing on Thursday morning. Furthermore, news agency ANI reported that the Andheri subway has been closed for vehicular traffic because of waterlogging.

Besides rainfall, there is a strong possibility of gusty winds reaching speeds of 50-60 kmph. According to the weather department, temperatures are expected to range between a maximum of 29 degrees Celsius and a minimum of about 24 degrees Celsius.

After the sudden rise of water in Pavana river flowing through Pimpri Chinchwad city, the only bridge over Pavana river near Birla Hospital has been completely closed for traffic as water has started flowing over it. The Pimpri Chinchwad Traffic Police Department has appealed to the citizens to use an alternative road to reach Dange Chowk until the water on the bridge near Birla Hospital recedes. Also, Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation has given instructions to the citizens living along the river to be alert. PTI

The Indian Express

Express Photo by Arul Horizon

A local formation of the Indian Army in Pune has mobilized a rescue and relief team consisting of an infantry column, an engineer task force and a medical team. The team has been mobilised for relief efforts in Ekta Nagari following requisition from local administration, Army officials said.

Pune City Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar reviewed the aid and rescue operations in Pune city at the Disaster Management Cell.

Resident Deputy Collector Jyoti Kadam and District Disaster Management Officer Vitthal Banote briefed Amitesh Kumar about the measures taken for rescue and aid efforts underway in various parts of Pune.

Additional Commissioner of Police Manoj Patil was also present.

Express Photo by Sushant Kulkarni

Amid the incessant rainfall, Pune Airport director Santosh Dhoke speaking with The Indian Express has assured that there has been no adverse impact of weather situation on flight opertaions at Pune Airport.

“All departures and arrivals are taking place as per the scheduled times. So far, no adverse impact of weather has been noted at the Pune Airport,” Dhoke told The Indian Express.

A total of 91 departures and 91 arrivals have been scheduled to take place from Pune Airport today.

Meanwhile, SpiceJet and Air India announced that flights in Mumbai maybe affected by the weather, and local trains are running at reduced speeds due to low visibility and high winds.

Three people are trapped in a bungalow in Lavasa. District authorities have reported damage to the bungalow due to rock falling and rescue operations are underway.

📍Road to Bhimashankar from Khed is closed due to mudslide.

A total of three incidents of wall collapse have been reported from Bhavani Peth, Koregaon Park and Vadgaon Budruk.

No casualties have been reported in these cases.

Pune Fire Brigade officials said that they rescued or evacuated around 160 people stuck and stranded in houses and buildings on slopes and low lying areas.

Over 200 firefighters and officers of the fire brigade are currently deployed in various parts of the city.

The Fire Brigade has responded to 16 incidents since midnight in which water had entered houses, residential and commercial buildings.

📍Traffic near Moshi Bhosari has slowed down considerably

Express Photo by Partha

Express Photo by Arul Horizon

📍Shantinagar Bridge and Manjari New Bridge have been confirmed to be closed for traffic.

📍Meanwhile, Sancheti Underpass has been opened for traffic after teams from Pune Municipal Corporation resolved the waterlogging by clearing the drainage channels.

IMD Director, Mumbai, Sunil Kamble shed light on the current status of the weather in the state, "Monsoon is very active over Maharashtra. Yesterday, we gave red alert for Pune, and we have noticed 114mm of rain in the city as well as we have seen in ghat areas more 200mm rain has already been recorded. In Mumbai, we have recorded more than 65mm of rainfall in and around Mumbai since yesterday. Red alert was till today morning, for Pune it's 'orange alert' today. For Mumbai, it is 'yellow alert' today."

(With PTI inputs)

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Rohidas Pawar said following bridges and underpasses are closed for traffic.

📍Bhide bridge

📍Jaywantrao Tilak bridge

📍Old Holkar bridge

📍Old Manjri bridge

📍Poultry underpass

📍Church underpass

📍Bopodi underpass

📍Narvir Tanaji Wadi underpass

📍Sancheti underpass

Alternative routes have been earmarked and staff from local traffic units has been deployed, DCP Pawar said.

Pune District Collector Suhas Diwase said that he has appealed to industrial establishments and private offices to shut down for today or allow employees to work from home due to water logging and rains situation in parts of the district. “People who report to offices or industrial units may get stuck due to water logging and flooding. Hence’ its important to avoid taking this risk,” he said.

Express Photo

This PCMC area houses many LGI societies and shops.

Express Photo by Partha

Deputy CM taking to X said, "Have been taking stock of the heavy rainfall situation in various districts of Maharashtra, especially Mumbai, Pune, Thane, Kohlapur and Sangli since early morning from my office."

"The concerned officials from Disaster Management System and District Administration have been directed to take proactive measures to ensure that rescue and relief work is done without any delay.", he added.

He urget the citizens to stay stay safe, "I request everyone to stay cautious in this weather, and be alert when travelling. Your safety is paramount to us."

Warje residents face challenges as roads experience major waterlogging rendering them 'unusable'.

While the rains have taken a break, the region lies at the feet of several hills.

Residents from societies such as Adiya Garden City have reported flooding.

Express Photo by Arul Horizon

📍Two teams from NDRF have been dispatched for Ekta Nagari in Sinhagad Road area of Pune where a number of people are stuck in houses amidst waterlogging, NDRF officials said.

📍Teams have been dispatched from the Talegaon headquartered 5th Battalion NDRF based on requisition from administration.

📍Meanwhile, third team of the NDRF has been requisitioned for deployment in Warje area of Pune, NDRF officials said.

Pune Collector Suhas Diwase confirmed that two incidents of landslides have been reported in Pune rural.

One from Tamhini Ghat in Maval tehsil where Adarwadi, Dasave village near Lavasa, NDRF ream has reached.

Three persons have been reported to be stuck, operation underway for their rescue.

Suhas Diwase, Pune Collector said, “I urge Pune residents to avoid going to these places such as lakes, dams, waterfalls, forts which are extremely risky at the moment. All of them have been closed down. There are many vulnerable places, roads, and bridges in the district which have been closed,”

He urged citizens to avoid driving their vehicles into water-logged roads or rushing to watch bridges under water as these might prove risky and lead to loss of life and property.

📍Commuters are advised to avoid going via Khadki, as waterlogging under the railway underpass near police station has led to traffic disruption.

📍Commuters travelling from Vishal Nagar to Rakshak Chowk can take a detour via Pimple Nilakh, heavy water logging under grade separator.

📍Commuters travelling to Hinjawadi, advised to take Bhujbal Chowk bridge. Heavy water logging at underpass near Tip Top International Hotel.

📍Moi Bridge and Old bridge in Manjari Khurd on Mula Mutha river have been confirmed to be submerged.

📍The Vallabhnagar underpass in Pimpri is flooded and a state transport vehicle is stuck in the waters. Commuters advised to avoid taking the underpass.

Pune District Collector Suhas Diwase said that Ekta Nagar along Sinhagad, Bavdhan, Yerwada areas water logging and water has entered the residential areas and NDRF and fire brigade teams are providing the residents relief.

Several bridges including the Mundhwa bridge near Hadapsar, Shantinagar bridge near Yerwada, bridge over Mula river in Balewadi, Holkar bridge near Sangamwadi have gone under water and that has led us to restrict traffic movement in that area

Pune District Collector Suhas Diwase stated that he has appealed to industrial establishments and private offices to shut down for today due to water logging and rains situation in parts of the district.

“People who report to offices or industrial units may get stuck due to water logging and flooding. Hence’ its important to avoid taking this risk,” he said.

Express Photo by Sushant Kulkarni

Meanwhile, PMC commissioner Rajendra Bhosale is at Sinhagad Road to oversee rescue operation while Additional municipal commissioner Prithviraj Meena handling situation from Disaster Management Control room.

PMC authorities seeking Army help for rescue operations as civic staff falling short to handle flood situation across city, says additional municipal commissioner Prithviraj Meena.

PMC Control Room Numbers

25506800

25501269

If you are facing any difficulty amidst the heavy downpour, contact the mentioned numbers and stay tuned for live updates!

Express Photo Arul Horizon

Amid torrential rains, a major fire was reported in a power transformer structure in the Indrayani Nagar area of Pimpari Chinchwad around 12.15 am.

Pimpri Chinchwad Fire Department teams responded to the fire.

They cut the power supply and brought the fire under control.

No casualties were reported in the incident.

Express Photo by Ajay Khape Jadhav

Flooding of Mutha river leads to a vehicle being stuck on river bridge near PMC main buidling.

Two bridges -- Moi Bridge and Old bridge in Manjari Khurd -- in the city have got submerged.

Stay safe and follow our live updates for alternative routes live updates.

Express Photo

Schools in Pune city and nearby areas have been shut today following an order by collector Suhas Diwase in view of incessant rains in the region as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has sounded a red alert.

Heavy showers in the catchment areas also led to an increase in water discharge from the Khadakwasla dam.

Check out the details here.

Housing societies in Sinhagad road area, Warje, Baner were affected as parking area of the buildings have got flooded.

Residents of Patil Estate in Shivajinagar are being shifted to safer location with a bus deployed for the purpose.

Fire department, PMC staff and police are rescuing people from societies in Sinhagad Road area as parking is submerged and water level rose.

Over 10 four wheelers and 40 two wheelers have got submerged in water as rain continues to lash the area.

Pavana dam, the main source of water supply for Pimpri-Chinchwad, has been filled up to 58 per cent of its capacity by Wednesday afternoon following incessant rain in Maval taluka of Pune district.

The storage level in the dam had dropped to 17 per cent in June and civic body was considering initiating water cuts. However after it started raining in this month, the civic administration decided against initiating any cuts.

Read what the civic officials had to say, here.

Express Photo by Ajay Khape Jadhav

Old bridge in Manjari Khurd on Mula Mutha river has been confirmed to be submerged.

Traffic has been stopped over this bridge. Citizens have been advised to take alternate routes.

Stay tuned for updated alternative routes.

Express Photo

Shivajinagar’s station at 114 mm is a 12 years high record.

Most of the places are reporting historic high rainfall in the last 24 hours.

With incessant rains battering down more rains are expected in the next two days

Heavy rainfall and flooding led to the collapse of the Military Compound wall at Kondhwa Budruk.

No loss of life has been reported as of now. This would be the fourth incident of such wall collapse since morning

📍Commuters are advised to avoid going via Khadki, as waterlogging under the railway underpass near police station has led to traffic disruption.

📍Commuters travelling from Vishal Nagar to Rakshak Chowk can take a detour via Pimple Nilakh, heavy water logging under grade separator.

📍Commuters travelling to Hinjawadi, advised to take Bhujbal Chowk bridge. Heavy water logging at underpass near Tip Top International Hotel.

📍Moi Bridge has been confirmed to be submerged.

📍The Vallabhnagar underpass in Pimpri is flooded and a state transport vehicle is stuck in the waters. Commuters advised to avoid taking the underpass.

Rains continue to batter Pune with many regions reporting heavy downpour in less than 24 hours.

Lonavala the popular hill station has received 299.5 mm of rainfall.

Lavasa has received 417 mm till 7.30.

Dapodi, Hadapasar have reported 93 and 99.5 mm of rainfall respectively.

Chinchwad, has received 156.0 mm of rainfall with more rainfall to be recorded.

In 24 hours, Pune City Fire Brigade responded to two incidents of wall collapse, six incidents of water entering houses and 45 incidents of trees falling. No casualties were reported in these incidents.

Between 7 am on Wednesday and 7 am on Thursday, wall collapse incidents were reported from Bhavani Peth and Koregaon Park area. Water entered houses on sloped or low lying areas in Warje, Shiwane, Sinhagad Road, Ganj Peth, Hingane and Shivaji Nagar.