ajit-pawar-calls-pune-rains-unprecedented-2-ndrf-teams-deployed

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Monday described the ongoing rainfall in the state’s Pune district as “unprecedented” for the month of May, as torrential downpours battered areas typically known for scant rainfall, including Baramati, Indapur and Daund tehsils.

 

Widespread flooding and waterlogging were reported across several parts of the district, prompting the deployment of two specialised teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) to assist in rescue operations in Baramati and Indapur.

 

Two individuals were rescued from an inundated site in Indapur.

 

According to the Chief Minister’s Office, Daund received 117 millimetres of rainfall within 24 hours, Baramati recorded 104.75 mm, and Indapur reported 63.25 mm.

 

The statement added that 25 houses partially collapsed in Baramati tehsil and seven people were rescued from floodwaters, while 70 to 80 families were relocated to safer locations. Mobile services, which were disrupted the previous day, were being restored.

 

Pawar visited the flood-affected regions on Monday to assess the situation first-hand. He said the rainfall levels were highly unusual for May in the region. Floodwaters affected 70 villages in Indapur and around 150 homes in Baramati.

 

These areas are generally considered rain-deficient and rarely witness such deluges, making the current situation especially alarming.

 

Traffic resumed on the Pune-Solapur highway near Indapur after a two-hour closure on Sunday due to waterlogging.

 

Meanwhile, in Mumbai, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the Southwest Monsoon arrived 16 days ahead of its usual schedule, marking the city’s earliest onset of monsoon in 75 years. The normal date for the onset of the monsoon in Mumbai is around 11 June.

 

The weather agency issued a red alert for Mumbai, warning of extremely heavy rain at isolated locations until 8:30 a.m. Tuesday.

 

A yellow alert has also been issued for 27–28 May, forecasting heavy rainfall at isolated places, with moderate rain likely to continue through the weekend.