17 killed, 6 missing as rain lashes Pune district

Among the rural areas, the worst affected was Baramati, where 3,165 people from 21 villages were shifted to temporary camps as areas located on the banks of Karhe river were flooded.

“A total of 3,500 people were shifted to safer locations at camps set up in parts of the city, and at least additional 5,000 people have got affected in some or the other way,” said Pune Municipal Commissioner Saurabh Rao.

Nearly 16,000 people have been rescued, including some stuck on rooftops and trees, from Pune city and other parts of the district. (Express photo: Arul Horizon)

The IMD termed the rainfall reported during the intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday as ‘intense’ but of moderate rainfall category (15 mm – 64 mm). This rainfall was mainly triggered due to convective activity and was highly localised in nature.

Several vehicles were also washed away in the floodwaters. (Express photo: Arul Horizon)

Officials from the Maharashtra Electricity Distribution Company Ltd said that 1.25 lakh customers were affected due to the downpour as the power distribution system had suffered major damage. In some areas, gas pipelines were also damaged and civic officials said the water supply system in parts of the city was affected.

Four were rescued by people and the PCB fire brigade from stranded vehicles at Wannaori bridge over naullah near Ganga Sattelite on Thursday morning. (Express photo: Arul Horizon)

Pune District Collector Naval Kishore Ram said the families of those killed as well as other people affected by the rain will be provided relief as per the norms of the National Disaster Relief Fund. “The Model Code of Conduct, which is in force for the upcoming Assembly polls, will not affect the relief efforts,” he said.