Heavy rain pounds Nashik, 25 trees fall; waterlogging disrupts normal life

Nashik: Heavy rainfall continued to batter Nashik city and parts of the district throughout the day on Tuesday, bringing down 25 trees, flooding roads and low lying areas and disrupting the day-to-day life.While the feared cloudburst-like situation did not occur, authorities remained on alert as several talukas recorded substantial rainfall. Nashik city received 107 mm of rainfall between 8.30am on Monday and 5.30pm on Tuesday. Across the district, Igatpuri recorded the highest rainfall at 200mm, followed by Surgana (149 mm), Trimbakeshwar (125 mm), Peth (61 mm) and Dindori (58 mm).Despite the intense spell, no major damage or cloudburst incidents were reported till Tuesday evening. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for Wednesday, forecasting heavy rainfall at isolated places in the district and moderate showers in central parts.Weather officials have predicted light-to-moderate rainfall over the next three days. State disaster management minister Girish Mahajan, who rushed to Nashik late on Monday after alerts of possible cloudburst-like rainfall, said the low-pressure system over the Arabian Sea that triggered the warning has now shifted towards Ahilyanagar and Surat.“The threat of extremely heavy rainfall has receded, but citizens should avoid visiting waterfalls, forts, dams and riverbanks for the next three days,” Mahajan said after inspecting Trimbakeshwar on Tuesday.

He had also conducted a late-night review of the situation in Trimbakeshwar and Igatpuri and directed district officials to remain vigilant.As a precautionary measure, the authorities temporarily restricted access to several tourist locations. Trimbakeshwar temple and Saptashrungi temple remained closed for visitors, while the Bhavdari road was closed for traffic.Following the cloudburst alert, the Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) and district administration had declared a holiday for schools and colleges in Nashik city and six talukas — Trimbakeshwar, Igatpuri, Nashik, Peth, Surgana and Dindori.

Residents were also advised to remain indoors unless absolutely necessary.The reduced movement was visible on city roads, where traffic remained comparatively lighter than usual throughout the day.Meanwhile, due to continuous rainfall in the city and upstream catchment areas, water level in Godavari river remained constant up to the foot of the Dutondya Maruti idol near Ramkund. Dutondya Maruti is a yardstick to measure the flood level of the river.With rainfall intensity expected to reduce and no fresh warning in central parts of the district, restrictions were relaxed on Tuesday evening. Schools and colleges in Nashik city are expected to resume normal functioning on Wednesday.The rainfall, however, exposed weaknesses in the city’s infrastructure. Waterlogging was reported from several locations, inconveniencing commuters and residents. A section of a road caved in on Gangapur Road, while water accumulated at the Nimani bus stand, disrupting passenger movement.

In the Old Nashik area, part of the wall of a dilapidated structure collapsed. Fresh showers also exposed potholes across several roads, adding to motorists’ woes.Amid the downpour, Nashik municipal commissioner Manisha Khatri conducted inspections of the waterlogging-prone Makhmalabad and Carbon Naka areas in the city.After receiving complaints about flooding in the localities, Khatri walked through the affected areas in the rain, reviewed the stormwater drainage network and interacted with the residents. She also directed the officials and contractors to immediately remove silt, mud and other obstructions choking drains and ensure quicker discharge of rainwater.