Baramati and surrounding areas in Pune district have been battered by relentless monsoon rains, recording a staggering 307 mm of rainfall in just 48 hours. This pre-monsoon deluge has shattered a 40-year rainfall record and plunged the region into chaos, with widespread flooding, a major canal breach, and urgent rescue operations underway.
The downpour, described as the heaviest May rain in half a century, has left hundreds of families displaced and vital infrastructure crippled. Waterlogging and flash floods have affected over 70 villages in Indapur and 150 homes in Baramati, forcing local authorities to evacuate residents to safer locations.
In Baramati’s MIDC region, three residential buildings—Sairang, Rishikesh, and Shri Samarth—partially collapsed due to water seepage and weakened foundations. Fortunately, there have been no casualties, but dozens of families are now seeking temporary shelter.
A breach in the Nira Left Canal near Nimgaon Ketki compounded the crisis, sending torrents of water into low-lying homes and farmlands. The Kara river in Baramati and Neera river in Indapur have both swollen to dangerous levels, exacerbating the risk of further flooding and prompting urgent evacuation measures.
On the urgent request of the district collector, two National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams were deployed to Baramati and Indapur. Equipped with deep diving sets, flood rescue gear, and medical kits, the teams have been instrumental in saving lives:
In Katewadi, a family of seven trapped in their waterlogged home was rescued by locals and officials.
In Jalochi village, a man stranded in a stream after his motorcycle was swept away was pulled to safety by the fire brigade.
All initially reported trapped residents have been safely rescued, and temporary shelters have been set up for those displaced.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and local MP Supriya Sule have visited affected areas, urging the administration to remain on high alert and ensure immediate relief to victims. Sule has also requested the postponement of exams for students, citing the difficulties caused by the flooding.
With the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing an orange—and in some areas, red—alert for continued heavy rainfall, residents are urged to remain vigilant. The administration is working to repair breached canals, restore infrastructure, and assess crop and property damage.
