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Flood in Maharashtra’s Chiplun: Water starts receding, rescue ops continue
According to Chiplun district collector B R Patil, illegal constructions along the Vashisthi river and discharge from the Kolkewadi dam could have led to flooding
Water started receding in most parts of Chiplun in Ratnagiri on Friday after rain wreaked havoc, even as rescue operations were started in the Konkan town of Maharashtra.
According to Chiplun district collector B R Patil, illegal constructions along the Vashisthi river and discharge from the Kolkewadi dam could have led to flooding. Downpour in Mahabaleshwar, which recorded 60cm rainfall in 24 hours ending Friday morning, triggered floods in Vashishti river which flows through Chiplun before merging into the Arabian Sea.
“There has been illegal construction along the river and the release of water from Kolkewadi dam and torrential rains flooded the entire city.We can call it a partially man-made disaster . Once the flood water recedes, a probe will be ordered into the illegal constructions. Food packets are being distributed to those stranded on different floors of various buildings,” he added.
The four National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams along with, Coast Guard, the navy and the army began rescue operations on Friday morning after the situation improved partially. The NDRF teams reached the town but water didn’t let the rescuers enter.
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“We have requested for six additional teams of NDRF personnel and army columns to aid us in our rescue and relief work. The navy teams will be reaching today while the coast guard is already helping us in the operations,” said Patil.
The Western Naval Command in Mumbai has deployed five teams to Chiplun following a request by the district administration. Each team will have five rescue team members, and a boat, and can save between 5-7 adults. Two helicopters of the Indian Air Force helicopters have been deployed for rescue operations of people stranded in Chiplun and Khed towns in the district.
More than 80% of the town with a population of 70,000 has been submerged due to the rise in the water level of river Vashishti.
