Kolhapur Floods: Panchganga River Levels Surge, Flooding Forces Evacuations
Kolhapur Floods: Panchganga River Levels Surge, Flooding Forces Evacuations
Kolhapur District is facing severe flooding due to continuous heavy rainfall, with the water levels in major rivers rising rapidly. As of the morning of July 25, the water level of the Panchganga River has reached 43 feet, surpassing the danger mark. This rise, amounting to a 5-inch increase in just 13 hours, has led to widespread flooding across Kolhapur, severely affecting the local population.
The incessant rain in the Panchganga catchment area has further exacerbated the situation. The water level at Rajaram Dam, measured at 7 pm on July 24, was 42 feet 07 inches. By 8 am today, it had risen to 43 feet. Consequently, roads on the Kasba Bawda MIDC-Shiroli (Shiye) route are submerged, causing significant traffic disruptions.
The Radhanagari Dam is nearing its full capacity, currently at 98.20 percent. The dam’s water level stands at 346.72 feet, just half a foot short of its full capacity of 347.50 feet. With ongoing rains, the automatic gates of the dam may open soon to manage the excess water.
Additionally, the Almaty Dam has started releasing 2.45 lakh cusecs of water as of 6 am today, heightening concerns about potential flooding. If Radhanagari Dam’s release begins, the situation could mirror the severe floods of 2021.
In response, the district administration is on high alert. Efforts are underway to evacuate residents from flood-affected areas to safer locations. District Collector Amol Yedge has urged citizens to cooperate with the authorities during this critical time.
The Meteorological Department has issued an orange alert for Kolhapur today, following a red alert on July 23. The administration is closely monitoring the situation as rainfall continues across the district, prompting precautionary measures to mitigate the impact of the flood
