Century's worst rain ravages Satara, Mahabaleshwar records 513 mm rainfall in 24 hours
Mumbai, July 7
Western Maharashtra is witnessing heavy to intermittent downpours, with rain wreaking absolute havoc across the Satara district, and the popular hill station of Mahabaleshwar there recording a whopping 513 mm of rain in a 24-hour window, which is one of the highest single-day rainfalls recorded in the century for the region, state government sources said on Tuesday.
The relentless downpour has completely disrupted normal life in the western hilly terrains of Satara district.
In Mahabaleshwar, several roads have been severely waterlogged, and multiple incidents of landslides have been reported. Cracked roads, uprooted trees, and snapped power lines have led to widespread power outages and cut off communication to several villages. Massive mudslides and boulders collapsing onto rural Ghat roads have blocked critical transport routes, bringing vehicular traffic to a complete standstill. This 513 mm rainfall is now etched as one of the highest-ever rainfall records in Satara's history, showcasing nature's furious side, the sources said.
In light of the record-breaking rainfall, the local administration has gone on high alert and appealed to citizens not to step out of their homes unless for absolute emergencies. While the region's famous waterfalls, lakes, and Venna Lake are overflowing beautifully, the torrential downpour has simultaneously turned into a massive crisis for the residents. Rains have practically battered Mahabaleshwar and the western belt of Satara, and officials indicate it might take a considerable amount of time for normalcy to return.
Atit village in Khandala taluka witnessed a cloudburst-like situation overnight. Torrential downpours triggered flash floods in local streams and rivers due to massive water cascading down the hills. The floodwaters breached the local temple premises and turned the surrounding streets into raging rivers. Floodwaters reportedly gushed into several houses situated along the banks of the overflowing streams, damaging household goods and crops. Affected villagers and farmers have demanded that the government immediately conduct official damage assessments (panchnamas) and provide financial assistance to compensate for their losses.
Further, heavy rains continue to lash various regions across the state, except for Marathwada. Following torrential downpours in Mumbai and its suburbs, authorities have declared a holiday for schools.
The Maharashtra State Disaster Management Authority (MSDMA) released a situation summary report on Tuesday morning detailing the impact of the intense downpour across the state. Heavy monsoon rains have lashed several parts of Maharashtra over the last 24 hours, causing severe waterlogging, river swelling, and weather-related casualties. Palghar district recorded the highest rainfall in the state over the last 24 hours, receiving a staggering 203.3 mm of rain. Neighbouring Thane and Raigad districts also experienced heavy downpours, recording 116.4 mm and 108.7 mm of rainfall, respectively. Mumbai Suburban registered 90.4 mm, while Pune saw 70.9 mm.
— IANS
Reader Comments
It's tragic to see nature's fury, but also beautiful—the waterfalls and Venna Lake must be overflowing. But that beauty comes at a huge cost for the locals. I hope the government acts fast for the damage assessment and compensation for farmers. These are the people who bear the brunt every monsoon. We need better early warning systems and resilient infrastructure.
Every year, same story. The rains come, and we are unprepared. The panchnamas should have been done days ago. The administration is always in 'high alert' mode after the damage has been done. I understand nature is unpredictable, but the lack of proactive measures in these hilly areas is frustrating. My thoughts are with the affected families.
I was in Mahabaleshwar last month, and now seeing this is shocking. The roads are narrow and prone to landslides. I hope the tourists are safe and not stranded. The local authorities need to ensure communication lines are restored quickly because many remote villages might be cut off completely. Kudos to the rescue teams working in such conditions. 💪
Having lived through monsoons in Mumbai, I can imagine the chaos in Satara. 513 mm is off the charts for any hill station. The combination of waterlogging, landslides, and power cuts is a nightmare. I hope the MSDMA is coordinating well with local bodies. Praying for everyone's safety, especially the families near Atit village. Nature can be brutal.
It's heartbreaking to hear about the damage to houses and crops. These are
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