One Dead, Two Missing as Incessant Rains Trigger Flood in Nashik

Incessant downpour which gained intensity in last 48 hours, has caused floods in the Nashik district.

People living by the riverside in Nashik have been asked to move to safer places. (Photo Courtesy: Twitter/@nashikpolice)

Western Maharashtra has been hit by heavy rains resulting in a flood-like situation in parts of Thane, Nasik, Raigad, Ratnagiri.

Nashik city has been the worst hit as incessant rains pummeled it for a third consecutive day on Tuesday. The city surpassed monthly rains in 54 hours, recording 94 mm rain in merely six hours triggering flood in Godavari river, along with other rivers across the district which have crossed the danger mark.

An NDRF team, comprising 40 jawans has left for Nashik from Pune, to help with the situation. The administration has also sought help of 300 Army jawans to meet any eventuality, especially in Chandori village.

The flood has claimed the life of an elderly woman, while a couple is feared to have been washed away in flash flood in Umrale village in the Nashik district.

Civic authorities have also rescued many trapped because of the floods from across Nashik district.

Nashik Suffers as Rivers Overflow

Authorities earlier in the day released water from Gangapur dam after the river level rose significantly, causing many bridges in Old Nashik area to undergo water, while unabated downpour which gained intensity in last 48 hours, has caused water-logging in areas like Ramwadi, Bohorpatti, Bhandi Bazar, Saraf Bazar and in some slum pockets.

Irrigation department released thousands of cusecs of water from Gangapur, Darna, Palkhed and other dams following heavy incessant rain. This caused flood in Darna, Kadva and other rivers in the district

An official from district collectorate

Many ancient temples located on the banks of the river submerged due to flood while few steps of famous Naroshankar temple near ‘Ramkund’ are also under water.

Worsening Situation Disrupts Normal Life

Incessant rains, and overflowing rivers have lead to normal life being disrupted in Nashik district.Police on Tuesday closed for traffic the 150-year-old Victoria bridge in the city as a precautionary measure in view of flood.

The rain fury caused gushing of water into basement of a mall. Civic corporation has shifted people living near the river to schools and community halls in view of flood, stated a press release.

The administration has already alerted people staying in vicinity of the river to move to safer places as more water is likely to released from Gangapur dam in the coming hours. Authorities have declared holidays to schools and colleges for two days in view of rains.

(With PTI inputs)