Heavy rain has brought devastation to the Marathwada region, typically known for dry weather. At least eight people have died, and significant damage to homes and crops has been reported
Residents have been evacuated to temporary shelters. Representational Pic/File
Hundreds of people have been shifted to safer places in Nanded city of Maharashtra after several low-lying areas were inundated following heavy rains in the last few days, with Godavari and Asna rivers flowing above the danger mark, officials said on Wednesday, reported the PTI.
For the first time in 25 years, all 16 gates of the Vishnupuri dam -- a major source of drinking water for Nanded -- have been opened due to the rising inflow.
Over 2.5 lakh cusecs of water have been released so far, and officials have warned this figure could increase to three lakh cusecs in the coming hours.
Heavy rain has brought devastation to the Marathwada region, typically known for dry weather.
At least eight people have died, and significant damage to homes and crops has been reported. Agriculture Minister Dattatray Bharne confirmed that Nanded district has been worst affected in terms of crop losses.
Several areas in Nanded city and district, including Govardhan Ghat, Nav Ghat, Nagina Ghat, Degloor Naka, Vasrani, and Mujampeth, have been inundated. Floodwaters also entered places of public importance such as the Govardhan Ghat crematorium, Sant Dasganu Maharaj Bridge, Shani Mandir, Gadipura, Siddhanathpuri, and Chouphala, according to the PTI.
Residents have been evacuated to temporary shelters, with more evacuations expected if the water levels continue to rise. The exact number of affected individuals is yet to be confirmed.
The Godavari River has breached its warning level of 351 metres and is now flowing above the danger level of 354 metres, exacerbated by heavy inflows from upstream dams such as Jayakwadi (Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar), Majalgaon (Beed), Siddheshwar, Khadakpurna, and Lower Dudhana, as per the PTI.
The Asna River has also risen sharply, cutting off several connecting routes and flooding agricultural land. Tributaries and streams are overflowing, worsening the situation across the district.
Officials from the Water Resources Department, including Executive Engineer Dattatraya Sawant, are closely monitoring the situation, sources said.
Although rainfall eased on Tuesday, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has placed Nanded under a yellow alert, with warnings of thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds (30-40 km/h) at isolated locations on 24, 25, and September 26, followed by a heavy rain warning on 27 September.
The district administration and the Nanded Waghala City Municipal Corporation have issued alerts to villages along the riverbanks, and police have been deployed as a precaution, especially with bridges and roads submerged, the news agency reported.
(with PTI inputs)
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