Pune: Pimpri Chinchwad Police Lead Rescue Operations as Heavy Rains Cause Waterlogging in Hinjawadi and Wakad
Reported by Varad Bhatkhande
Hinjawadi, 25th July 2024: Sporadic rains throughout the week have flooded IT Park Hinjawadi and most roads leading to IT, including service roads in Wakad, Tathawade, and Punawale. Officials from the Pimpri Chinchwad Police Commissionerate (PCPC) took part in the rescue operation personally due to people being trapped in the rainwater.
Potholes on roads exacerbated traffic issues, and heavy rains caused significant waterlogging in Wakad and IT Park Hinjawadi over two days, severely impacting traffic. Most roads have been slow-moving since morning.
The Bhumkar Wasti underpass under the Mumbai-Bengaluru Highway experienced congestion due to water accumulation. Traffic police managed the situation, and around noon, Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) employees cleared the drainage line, allowing traffic to flow smoothly again.
The Mula River near Wakad village has also flooded, with water reaching the steps of the Mhatoba Mandir for the first time in years. The adjacent Sant Savata Mali Park is also underwater.
Motorists faced difficulties due to knee-deep water on the service road in front of DY Patil College in Tathawade, and the subway at Tathawade Chowk was flooded, causing long detours. Kala Khadak-Ganesh Nagar road was submerged under about six feet of water and is now closed due to stuck cargo vehicles.
Traffic from Hinjawadi Phase I to Maan was disrupted for hours as the Maan-Bodkewadi road was submerged. Motorists had to navigate the hazardous conditions caused by water from the mountains accumulating on the road.
Pavana River water has entered Kalewadi. About 600 to 700 people from 300 families were relocated with the help of Wakad Police and local citizens. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 3) Bapu Bangar, Assistant Commissioner (Wakad Division) Sunil Kurhade, and Senior Police Inspector (Wakad Police Station) Nivritti Kolhatkar were involved in the relief efforts.
