Heavy rains inundate city; red alert for next 24 hrs

Nagpurians woke up to a rainy morning on Friday! Heavy rains pounded the city throughout the day resulting in water-logging that disrupted normal life. For the city, the worst is not yet over as Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall for next three days. Intense rainfall not only lashed Nagpur but covered entire Vidarbha, where reports of flooding poured from many places, especially Gadchiroli.

 

Meanwhile, a report that should worry Nagpurians, IMD has issued ‘Red Alert’ for Saturday as the low pressure region shifted from Odisha to Chhattisgarh. This is bound to induce very heavy rains during next 24 hours. This alert is sounded for second time in the rainy season this year and it signifies that the region would receive very heavy to extreme heavy (above 200 mm) of rains. If that is so, sufferings of citizens are likely to multiply.

Already, the unplanned constructions of concrete roads created impediment in smooth flow of traffic and low lying area were water-logged that even motorists and big vehicles found difficult to cross. 

 

Adding to the citizen’s woes the non-cleaning of storm water drains on part of Health Department of Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) led to overflowing of excess water onto road that further compounded the problems.

IMD had declared ‘Orange Alert’ on September 5, 6 and 7 which means heavy (65 mm to 125 mm in 24 hours) to very heavy (125 mm to 200 mm) rainfall in the district. But with low pressure area inching closer to Chhattisgarh region the weatherman has revised the warning to maximum level.

 

The alert is on since two days and now with this ‘Red Alert’ local administration would be on it toes to take action and moves forces swiftly to avoid any incident. Heavy rains also wreaked havoc on the city roads, with water-logging complaints coming from all over the city including, Jhansi Rani Square, Chhatrapati Square, Narendra Nagar Square, Narendra Nagar Railway Under Bridge (RUB), Loha Pul RuB, Samvidhan Square, Dharampeth, Ramdaspeth, Atrey Layout, Bajaj Nagar, Padole Square, Mangalmutri Square, Trimurty Nagar, Shankar Nagar, Mount Road, Sadar, Munje Square and many other areas.

 

Besa-Beltarodi, the fast developing suburbs of city, was the worst affected as a nullah that was in spate was flowing above the bridges cutting of the connectivity with city. Similar reports came from Hudkeshwar, Umrer Road, several parts of North Nagpur also were flooded due to gushing of water.

 

The ongoing development works at Automotive Square, Pardi, Indora Square made life difficult for citizens using the road stretch whose width is already reduced and on top that the heavy rains made it slippery.

It was a busy day for Emergency and Fire Services of Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) as they received many calls of uprooting trees and water-logging throughout the city.

 

Citizens faced massive inconvenience due to water-logging, loose metal on roads, potholes, uprooted trees etc. The ramps constructed over cement roads also created inconvenience for citizens as the water gathered at centre of the square in most of the areas. To avoid any incident, traffic department deployed cops at many areas to avoid jams and guide commuters away from water-logged areas.

 

Local administration also switched off traffic signals in many water-logged areas to avoid any incident and ensure faster movement of vehicles. They also deployed excavators to remove garbage to maintain the flow of water in many areas.

 

Fire Department received complaints of water-logging from Jalaram Mandir, Lakadganj; Manewada-Besa Road; T V Tower, Seminary Hills; Dadhiwal Layout; Heritage Hotel, Civil Lines; Mankapur Stadium; Sonegaon Police Station, Wardha Road; Umang Housing Society, Narendra Nagar; Ramkunj Bhavan, Lakadganj; IT Park; Utkarsh Nagar, Jagat Tower, Ravi Nagar, Friends Colony; Verma Layout; Jantar Mantar, Amravati Road; Akashwani, Civil Lines; Kachipura; Central Mall; Rahul Bazar, Sitabuldi; Sudam Nagri; Mor Bhavan etc.

 

Till Friday morning, Bramhapuri recorded the highest 222.4 mm rainfall in Vidarbha while Nagpur was just 3.2 mm which is now changed in the evening. Whereas, Gadchiroli (50.6 mm) and Amravati (25.8 mm) also recorded good rains.

 

Heavy rains increase live stock in Totladoh dam Heavy rains in the catchment areas of Totladoh dam raised the live storage level by 55.08 per cent which is the highest in last three years. In 2017, the live storage level of Totladoh dam was 27.06 per cent and in 2018 it was 27.56 per cent. Totladoh dam is the major source for water supply in Nagpur. Lack of proper monsoon last year reduced the storage at record level. Released of water from Machagora Dam in Chourai tehsil of Madhya Pradesh raised the water level of Totladoh by 25 per cent and now ongoing heavy rains in Vidarbha and surrounding of Totladoh dam increase the storage to 55 per cent on Friday.

 

District Collector Ashwin Mudgal has declared holiday for schools in district on Saturday in light of the Red Alert sounded by IMD. Collector has issued notification to Education Department but it remains to be seen whether the circular passes onto school as Friday was local holiday in city for Government establishments. The heavy rains on Friday further aggravated the already complicated situation on city roads where potholes have increased and got bigger posing danger to passers-by.

 

Following continuous rains and the ‘Red Alert’ warning issued by the Weather department for Saturday, District Collector Ashwin Mudgal has issued a safety advisory, cautioning citizens, particularly living along low lying areas to refrain from coming out of their houses on Saturday, to avoid any untoward eventualities. He advised to remain alert and not to panic in any water-logging situation.

 

For any help, people can contact on emergency toll free number 1077 Rain water gushes into Metro’s Subhash Nagar stn Heavy rains on Friday exposed Maha Metro’s efforts to present a picture of all’s well on its front as rain water gushed into newly built Subhash Nagar station. The station was to be dedicated to public by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday. The city witnessed one of the furious spells of rains on Friday leading to leakage in the roof of the station. Videos circulating on social media showcased a worker trying to clear rain water accumulated on the first floor of Subhash Nagar Metro station.

 

It may be noted that Jai Jawan Jai Kisan, a social organisation, has been crying hoarse that Metro officials are unnecessarily putting citizens to risk by opening incomplete works.