New Delhi: Nashik is on high alert as the Godavari River has breached safe limits following heavy rains across Maharashtra. The district administration has issued a warning, urging residents living near the riverbanks to stay vigilant and take necessary precautions.
The rising water levels are a direct result of the release of 8,000 cusecs of water from the Gangapur Dam, which supplies water to the entire city of Nashik. The dam’s discharge has led to an increase in water levels in the Godavari, prompting authorities to issue an alert for Saikheda and Chandroi villages in Niphad taluka.
The impact of the heavy rainfall is evident in Nashik’s iconic landmarks. Small temples at Ramkund and the Goda Ghat have been submerged, while the water has reached the waist of the Dutondya Maruti idol. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for several districts, including Nashik, indicating the continued threat of heavy rainfall.
The situation in Nashik reflects a broader concern across Maharashtra, with heavy rainfall and dam releases leading to rising water levels in various rivers and reservoirs. In Pune, the army has been deployed to assist in evacuating residents from inundated areas, following the discharge of water from the Khadakwasla dam.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has instructed authorities to remain on high alert and, if necessary, to evacuate people from dangerous zones with the assistance of NDRF, SDRF, and the Army.
The heavy rains and dam releases have also impacted water levels in other parts of the state, with several reservoirs reaching their full capacity. Despite the heavy rainfall, some reservoirs in Nashik have no water stock, highlighting the uneven distribution of monsoon rains across the region.
Joining disaster management teams in rescuing the people, army personnel have been deployed at an inundated residential area in Pune, news agency PTI reported
According to the officials in Maharashtra’s irrigation department, 35,000 cusecs of water were discharged from the Khadakwasla dam following heavy downpours in its catchment areas.
