Maharashtra: Heavy rains in Nashik, Godavari river above danger mark

Heavy rains in Nashik in Maharashtra and release of water from Gangapur Dam on Saturday caused the Godavari river to flow above the danger mark, said district collector Suraj Mandhare. He said 17,748 cusecs (cubic foot per second) of water was released leading to the level of the river reaching almost to the deck of Holkar Bridge.

Mandhare asked people living along the banks of rivers in the region to be alert as water from several dams had been released following heavy rains over the past few days. Several cusecs of water were released into various rivers from Gautami, Alandi, Bhavali, Waldevi, Palkhed, Chankapur, Punad and Haranbari dams, Mandhare informed.

Earlier in the day, an Irrigation department official said water had reached up to the neck of the Dutondya Maruti, a statue of Hanuman on the bed of Godavari river, and was a few feet below the Ram Setu bridge.

“The Nilkanteshwar, Naro Shankar and Yashwantrao Maharaj temples are surrounded by water. Bridges like Victoria and Gadge Maharaj are attracting crowds watching the rising water levels. The district administration is asking them to disperse,” the official said.

He added that a bridge on Godavari river at Saykheda village has been closed to traffic due to rising water levels. In rain-related incidents in the district, a man was rescued from a flooded area in Talkuteshwar Ghat after people made a lifeline out of sarees.

The body of a man, identified as Savaliram Mengel, was found on Saturday in Sinnar taluka after he got washed away in a flood on Tuesday, police said.

Nashik Municipal Corporation Commissioner Radhakirshna Game and Mayor Ranjana Bhanasi on Saturday visited flooded areas of the city like Malegaon stand, Gadge Maharaj Bridge and Ramkunda, officials said.