Pune, 20 August 2025: Pune and Mumbai have been battered by relentless rainfall over the past two days, bringing both cities to a standstill. The downpour has forced the Pune district administration to declare a holiday for schools, while many key roads have been closed to traffic as the Mutha river swelled beyond its banks.
The impact has been equally severe on the railway network. Train services between Pune and Mumbai were badly affected on Wednesday. The Sinhgad Express, Deccan Queen, Pragati Express, and several intercity services were cancelled due to waterlogging and safety concerns.
The Solapur–Pune–Mumbai Vande Bharat Express was also called off. Rail authorities have appealed to passengers to confirm train schedules before travelling.
Temghar dam has reached 100 percent storage capacity, while the Khadakwasla dam chain, crucial for Pune’s water supply, has reported a rapid increase in water levels. Within just 24 hours, the storage rose from 91.97 percent to 97.58 percent, enough to meet Pune’s water needs for a month. As of Tuesday evening, 35,310 cusecs of water were released from Khadakwasla, leading to warnings for residents living near riverbanks.
Out of 26 dams in the district, seven have already reached full capacity. Pavana and Visapur reservoirs are nearly filled, while Neera Deoghar has crossed 97 percent. Smaller dams too are reporting over 90 percent storage, except Manikdoh and Yedgaon, which remain below full levels.
The rising water has also submerged parts of Omkareshwar temple on the riverbank, a stark reminder of the flood-like conditions unfolding in Pune. With rainfall showing no signs of slowing, authorities are maintaining high alert across the city and nearby regions.
