Pune / Wall collapsed in Pune due to rain, five people dead and many missing

At least five people were reported dead while many missing after a wall collapsed in the Aranyeshwar area after incessant showers battered Pune on the intervening night of Tuesday and Wednesday.

According to initial reports, the deaths were caused after the compound wall of Tangewala Society in the city's Parvati area caved in sometime around Wednesday midnight.

Five bodies, including that of a woman, have been retrieved so far while at least five persons are said to be missing, feared drowned owing to the intensity of the water current.

Fire Department officials, who are conducting rescue operations, said that 574 persons had been rescued or evacuated to safer quarters till now.

Property damaged

Several low-lying areas in and around Pune were flooded as heavy rain lashed the city on Wednesday, causing severe damage to property in areas such as Sinhagad Road, Sahakarnagar, Parvati and Katraj.

Parts of Tangewala chawl at Sahakar Nagar collapsed on Thursday, September 26, 2019, after flood water from adjacent canal entered the chawls. Four people were washed out in the heavy current.

Parts of Tangewala chawl at Sahakar Nagar collapsed on Thursday, September 26, 2019, after flood water from adjacent canal entered the chawls. Four people were washed out in the heavy current.   | Photo Credit: Mandar Tannu

Water entered the homes of a number of residential societies, chawls and shanties in these areas while several four-wheelers were severely damaged owing to an intense bout of rain that lasted for several hours between Wednesday night and Thursday morning.

Residents said that water levels had suddenly shot up owing to the massive amounts flowing down from the city’s Taljai Tekadi (hill) area.

In some societies, the water levels rose as high as eight to nine ft and several vehicles were washed away.

Massive traffic snarls were reported along the Swargate-Katraj route on Thursday morning with the water yet to clear from the roads.

The rainwater caused the Pune Municipal Transport depot in Katraj to remain completely shut, causing regular bus travellers much inconvenience. Electricity supply was disrupted in the whole of the Sinhagad Road area.

Given the seriousness of the situation, Pune Collector Naval Kishore Ram has declared all schools and colleges in outlying areas of Pune city, including Purandar, Baramati, Bhor and Haveli, to be shut.

Irrigation Department authorities informed that 1,39,81 cusecs of water was being discharged from the Khadakwasala dam, which had filled to the brim.

According to the India Meteorological Department, more rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms was expected in parts of Maharashtra on Thursday evening as well and that the intensity was expected to reduce only by September 27.