Nagpur reeling under heavy rains, IMD issues 'red alert'

Mumbai: Maharashtra's Nagpur was reeling under heavy rains with large stretches of the city and its suburbs getting inundated on Wednesday.

The localities which are facing severe waterlogging include Narendra Nagar, Trimurti Nagar, New Narsala, Cotton Market, Dharampeth, Wardha Road and Omkar Nagar.

In Nagpur city, people were seen wading through knee-deep and waist-deep waters.

Several vehicles were submerged while water gushed into the ground floors in many places.

Over the past three days, the entire Vidarbha region has been receiving heavy rainfall resulting in floods at several stretches - and similar conditions are expected for the next couple of days.

The IMD’s Nagpur-based Regional Meteorological Centre has put Nagpur, Bhandara and Gondia under ‘red alert’, Amravati, Wardha, Chandrapur and Gadchiroli under ‘orange alert’ and Akola, Buldhana, Washim and Yavatmal under ‘yellow alert’.

“NDRF and SDRF teams are on high alert in the wake of floods in East Vidarbha,” Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said.

Fadnavis, who is also the state Home Minister, spoke to Nagpur Collector Dr Vipin Itankar, Police Commissioner Ravinder Singal and Municipal Commissioner Dr Abhijeet Chaudhari and reviewed the situation.

The Nagpur city administration declared a holiday for all schools and colleges in the city for the day.

In the last two days, Nagpur received over 200 to 300 mm rainfall resulting in flooding.

Some State Highways in the district have also been shut down due to water inundation, with multiple roads in various talukas rendered impassable. Visuals from localities such as Narendra Nagar showed submerged roads and underpasses.

The Nagpur Municipal Corporation has launched rescue and dewatering operations across affected areas.

Fadnavis, who himself hails from Nagpur, also appealed to take necessary precautions.

“The Gadchiroli to Nagpur Armori route is currently closed, with traffic being diverted to an alternative route. Due to the release of water from the Gosikhurd Dam, an alert has been issued to all citizens up to Gadchiroli,” he said.

According to the latest reports, one person has been swept away in floodwaters.