09 July,2026 09:37 AM IST | Mumbai | Vinod Kumar Menon
Floodwaters from the overflowing Patalganga River cut off Dolghar village in Panvel Rural, Raigad, leaving residents stranded for four days without electricity, transportm, or mobile connectivity. Pics/Special Arrangement
A 150-year-old fishing village barely 60 km from Mumbai has once again been cut off from the outside world after the overflowing Patalganga River submerged large parts of Dolghar in Panvel Rural, Raigad district.
For the past four days, nearly 1450 residents from around 350 households have remained stranded without electricity, transport or mobile connectivity. Floodwaters have inundated around 60 per cent of the village, leaving families dependent on boats for emergencies and a community kitchen for food.
Floodwaters from the overflowing Patalganga River cut off Dolghar village in Panvel Rural, Raigad, leaving residents stranded for four days without electricity, transportm, or mobile connectivity. Pics/Special Arrangement
While the rains eased briefly on Tuesday, fresh showers on Wednesday pushed up the river level again, prolonging the crisis. Villagers say the flooding is not new - they have been seeking permanent rehabilitation for over three decades.
>> 1450 residents affected
>> 350 households in the village
>> 60% of houses inundated
>> 4 days without electricity
>> 100 low-lying houses repeatedly flood
>> 200 houses on higher ground remain relatively safer
>> 15-20 minutes boat ride to reach the nearest motorable road
>> 700-800 metres of approach road gets submerged during heavy rain
Floodwater enters a house, damaging belongings and forcing people to move out
>> No electricity for four days
>> Mobile network unavailable inside the village
>> Roads cut off by floodwaters
>> Community kitchen feeding stranded residents
>> Shortage of medicines and daily essentials
>> Snakes and rodents entering flooded homes
>> Elderly, patients and pregnant women dependent on boats during emergencies
Panvel Rural Tehsildar Jitendra Ingale said the 700-800 metre approach road is submerged whenever the Patalganga River swells due to heavy rain and high tide.
He said a proposal has been sent to higher authorities for permanent rehabilitation, along with a bridge and approach road.
"Dolghar is a low-lying, flood-prone village close to the river. We are identifying an alternative site for permanent rehabilitation. Apta has already been rehabilitated, and Dolghar is next in line."
Raju Patil, resident
âThere has been no electricity for four days, and mobile networks are unavailable. People have to climb nearby higher ground just to get a phone signal. About 90 per cent of the village gets affected whenever the river floods. The government had identified land for rehabilitation, but the proposal has never moved forward. Even if residents have to contribute financially, we are ready. We only want a safe place to live.'
Janardhan Koli, 54 resident
âMost houses were submerged. The water has started going down, but the roads are still affected, and there is no electricity. After every flood, we have to clean our floors and utensils 10 to 15 times before they become usable again. When children are around, we have to chase away snakes and other animals to keep them safe.'
According to villagers, Dolghar was declared flood-prone in 1989 and officially recognised as a flood-affected village in 1993, making residents eligible for rehabilitation. In 1992, the Panvel Sub-Divisional Officer approved 100 residential plots under the Maharashtra Land Revenue Code.
>> 61 plots for farmers
>> 39 plots for non-farmers
>> Land from Survey No. 82/1 measuring 4.27 hectares
However, the plots were never handed over because beneficiaries did not deposit occupancy charges.
A Karnala Circle Officer's report submitted in January 2023 confirmed the allotment process had remained pending for more than 30 years.
Residents have since told authorities they are willing to pay the pending charges along with penalties.
1989: Dolghar declared flood-prone
1992: 100 rehabilitation plots sanctioned
1993: Village officially recognised as flood-affected
January 6, 2023: Villagers renew demand and offer to pay pending occupancy charges
January 2023: Circle Officer confirms allotment remains pending
July 2026: Village cut off again after heavy rains
Santosh Thakur, Founder-President, Gram Sanvardhan Social Organization
"Dolghar has been classified as a flood-affected area since the 1990 floods, yet the process of allotting plots to affected families remains stalled. If the government allocates the already earmarked plots, these families can finally be rehabilitated."
Panvel Rural Tehsildar Jitendra Ingale said the 700-800 metre approach road is submerged whenever the Patalganga River swells due to heavy rain and high tide.
He said a proposal has been sent to higher authorities for permanent rehabilitation, along with a bridge and approach road.
"Dolghar is a low-lying, flood-prone village close to the river. We are identifying an alternative site for permanent rehabilitation. The nearby villages of Apta and Kelavne were also affected, but the situation there has been resolved. Apta has already been rehabilitated, and Dolghar is next in line."
