CM Fadnavis appeals to devotees to avoid Alandi and Dehu due to flooding
Mumbai, July 6
In light of severe flooding in the Indrayani River, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday appealed to Warkaris and devotees heading towards Alandi to halt safely wherever they currently are. As all four bridges leading into Alandi are completely submerged, making entry into the town unsafe, the Chief Minister has urged pilgrims to skip Dehu and Alandi and join the Wari procession in Pune city instead.
"Warkaris and citizens must strictly follow instructions from the administration, police and disaster management teams," CM Fadnavis said.
He advised the public not to believe in rumours and to strictly avoid visiting riverbeds, ghats or closed bridges. Assuring that the administration is taking all necessary safety measures, he urged everyone to maintain patience and cooperate with the authorities. He explicitly requested that any Warkari groups who have already reached Pune stay within the city limits.
Against the backdrop of heavy rainfall and potential flood situations developing across the state, CM Fadnavis has urged the citizens of Maharashtra to remain highly alert and cooperate fully with the local administration.
The Chief Minister clarified that the entire state government machinery is fully prepared and 24-hour control rooms have been activated to provide immediate assistance in the event of any emergency.
He advised citizens not to believe in rumours, to rely solely on information from official sources, and to immediately contact the designated official helpline numbers during times of crisis. The state government has operationalised the emergency contacts, including State-Level Main Control Room (Toll-Free): 1070, Mobile Number: 09321587143, Telephone Numbers: 022-22027990 / 022-22794229, and District-Level Control Rooms (Toll-Free): 1077 (activated across all districts for rapid local assistance and monitoring).
CM Fadnavis added that the administration has been instructed to take proper precautions and ensure the safety of citizens living in landslide-prone and sensitive areas. He appealed to the public not to panic during an emergency and to promptly seek help from the administrative machinery using these helpline numbers.
Earlier, CM Fadnavis informed the state Assembly that the state government has put all emergency apparatus on the highest level of alert. He stated that the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued red alerts for multiple districts, tracking gusty wind speeds ranging between 70 and 90 km/h that have already caused widespread destruction, including numerous tree collapses and severe structural damage.
In an unprecedented move to ensure public safety and streamline communication, the Chief Minister announced that the state's automated systems are directly broadcasting emergency SMS alerts every three hours to residents trapped in the worst-hit zones.
"We are dealing with an intense and evolving natural emergency. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and local civic bodies are deployed in full capacity. Our absolute priority right now is preventing loss of life and executing rescue operations," said the Chief Minister.
— IANS
Reader Comments
It's good that they're alerting people early, but I hope the government also focuses on long-term flood management in these riverine areas. Every year same problem in Pune and Nashik regions. Drainage systems need upgrade, not just emergency response.
The helpline numbers are good but during actual emergencies, these lines get jammed very quickly. Need to also use WhatsApp and social media for real-time updates. Many Warkaris are elderly and may not know how to use these numbers properly. Hope local volunteers are also helping.
I'm glad the CM is personally appealing. But I wish the government had cleared the riverbeds and encroachments before monsoon. Every year the same story - flooding in Alandi and Dehu because of illegal constructions blocking natural water flow. 😔
What about the Warkaris who have already walked for days and are now stranded halfway? They need food, shelter and medical aid. The administration should set up relief camps along the route. Covering the 500 km Wari is not easy, especially for the elderly and women.
Interesting to see how India handles such large-scale religious gatherings during natural disasters. In Australia we would just cancel the event entirely. Respect for trying to reroute the pilgrims rather than calling it off completely. Hope everyone stays safe.
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