Over 1,100 evacuated as heavy rains pound Thane and Palghar districts

Kalyan tehsildar and executive magistrate Sachin Shejal said several localities were waterlogged following heavy rainfall and swelling rivers.

“Katai, Nandivali Shivani Nagar, Waldhuni and Bhopar were some of the areas affected in Kalyan taluka,” he noted.

According to a report issued by the district authorities, a total of 1,107 people were shifted to temporary shelters across Thane and Palghar by late evening.

“While 610 of these people were evacuated in Thane district, 497 were shifted to safety in Palghar district. All rescued persons have been housed in temporary shelters,” the report said.

The Ulhas River crossed warning levels at Jambhulpada and Badlapur in Thane, PTI reported.

“The administration has alerted all those residing along the riverbanks to remain vigilant,” the release added.

The river bridge was closed for movement, and traffic was disrupted at Dahagaon, where the Chandra River overflowed, and at Walkas, where a bridge was submerged, reported PTI.

Several localised evacuations were reported. At Netivali, 120 people were moved after a tree collapsed, while 70 were shifted from Ahire village.

Residents were also relocated to civic schools and temporary shelters in other areas.

In Palghar, 14 houses along the riverbank at Gorat Gawari Pada in Wada taluka were submerged, and 15 homes in Padgha’s Ganesh Nagar were inundated, reported PTI. Floodwaters also entered homes in Vasai’s Chandrapada village, Sarja village, Khandipada, and Odola in Chinchoti, with residents moved to safer locations.

In Thane city, one house was damaged, prompting evacuations from adjoining homes after debris fell. A 70-year-old man sustained injuries and was admitted to the civic hospital in Kalwa. Barricades and drainage ditches were erected to divert rainwater.

Wall collapses were reported in Mumbra’s Sanjay Nagar, Kalwa, and Ghodbunder Road, while vehicular movement was severely affected due to waterlogged roads. Ghodbunder Road to Mira-Bhayander was closed earlier in the day, with police urging motorists to use alternative routes.

Parts of Karnala and Ambarbhui villages in Palghar were completely cut off, and the Pachmad and Chinchghar bridges on NH-160A were closed due to flooding. At an underpass connecting Narivali and Uttarshiv villages in Thane, an SUV was nearly submerged in floodwaters; two locals swam to rescue trapped passengers. A video of the incident has gone viral on social media.

Officials said civic bodies, the disaster management cell, and local volunteers remain on high alert. Residents in flood-prone areas have been urged to relocate temporarily and report emergencies promptly.

Rail transport was also affected. “Suburban train services remain closed between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) and Thane due to waterlogging. However, beyond Thane, train services were operational,” an official said.

In Palghar, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams were deployed. At Mori village, with assistance from locals and fire brigade personnel, 120 people were rescued and moved to transit camps. Similarly, 44 persons were evacuated from Sawantpada.

“Rescue and relief operations are continuing on a war footing,” an official said.

With a red alert still in place, district authorities have appealed to citizens to avoid unnecessary travel and adhere to safety advisories.

(With PTI inputs)

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