4 Dead as Heavy Rain Wreaks Havoc in Pune; Schools Closed and Army, Air Force on Alert

4 Dead as Heavy Rain Wreaks Havoc in Pune; Schools Closed and Army, Air Force on Alert

Heavy rain and unbroken nighttime rain caused four fatal rain-related incidents in Pune on Thursday. The Indian Meteorological Department issued a red alert for Pune after water flooded a number of residential areas. In light of the persistent rain and flooding, District Collector Suhas Diwase has mandated the closure of all city schools. Chief Minister of Maharashtra Eknath Shinde said he had spoken with authorities to alert the Indian Air Force and Army to flood rescue efforts in Pune and other areas. He said that Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar is now coordinating with officers while camping in Mantralaya.

Out Of the four, three perished from electrocution in the water at Pulachi Wadi in the Deccan Gymkhana region, while one perished in a landslide in Adarwadi hamlet in Maval tehsil caused by rainfall. According to IMD’s prediction, Pune is expected to have isolated patches of exceptionally heavy rainfall in the ghat areas and moderate showers in the plains until Friday. According to IMD, the Pune district saw 567.2 mm of rain between June 1 and July 24, 2024.

In a warning issued at 7:00 am on Thursday, the IMD projected moderate to heavy spells of rain with gusty winds reaching 50–60 kmph in Mumbai, according to news agency. Heavy rain drenched areas of Mumbai on Thursday. Mumbai was placed under a yellow alert by IMD on Thursday, with isolated areas expected to see heavy to extremely heavy rains through Friday. The IMD forecast, released on Wednesday, also calls for isolated areas of heavy to very heavy rainfall in Raigad and Ratnagiri. Mumbai’s maximum and minimum temperatures are expected to be approximately 30 degrees Celsius and 25 degrees Celsius, respectively, according to the IMD prediction.

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The IMD issued a forecast at 7 am on Thursday, indicating that heavy to moderate rains could fall over Mumbai city and its suburbs for three hours. Up to 10 am on Thursday, Thane and Raigad are predicted to experience intense rainfall exceeding 15 mm per hour. It is anticipated by IMD that there will be extensive rains until July 30 in the North Konkan meteorological subdivision, which covers Mumbai city and its surrounding areas. The Andheri Subway in Mumbai has closed to vehicles due to flooding brought on by the heavy rains, according to reports. The Thane district’s elementary, middle, and high schools have been closed today owing to excessive rain.