Pune: Low-lying areas along Mutha river and nullahs faced flood risks for the second day on Wednesday, following increased water discharge from Khadakwasla dam (39,190 cusecs), prompting evacuation of more than 700 residents from more than eight vulnerable spots.Over 100 residents were shifted from the Phulenagar-Yerawada area, while around 140 were moved to safety from the Mangalwar Peth and Bhimnagar pockets. Other evacuations were carried out in Parnakuti-Yerawada, Sainathnagar, Adarshnagar-Bopodi, Patil Estate, Khilarewadi and Warje areas. Teams were deployed in the parts of Yerawada, Shastrinagar, Patil Estate, Pulachiwadi, Warje and Khilarewadi to help residents move to safer places.Pune Municipal Corporation officials ramped up monitoring at various locations on Wednesday as water levels in the Mutha river surged. “Citizens have been cautioned to steer clear of the strong currents. Rising waters caused flooding at several spots, prompting closures at Baba Bhide and Tilak bridges. A road near Harris Bridge in Bopodi has been blocked too, and riverside roads in Deccan Gymkhana are submerged. Water also entered the Omkareshwar Temple in Narayan Peth. Additionally, bridges at Shivne, Nanded City and Kharadi have been closed to vehicles,” a PMC official said.A team from an Army unit was also kept ready as a standby arrangement by PMC to support evacuation efforts in the city. Sandip Khalate, head of PMC’s disaster management department, said alerts were sent out through social media platforms and radio channels about water discharge and a possible increase in rainfall. About 16 complaints were received in a day regarding waterlogging and choking of drain lines.An official from the irrigation department said, “Water release was increased from Tuesday’s rate of 35,000 cusecs to 39,000 cusecs on Wednesday morning owing to consistent rain in catchments. All three upstream dams (Varasgaon, Panshet and Temghar) released water into Khadakwasla. Water discharge from Panshet and Varasgaon was reduced to the rate of 10,000 cusecs in the evening,” the official said.
