Nashik: Continuous heavy rainfall across Nashik city and its upstream catchments on Wednesday caused a sharp rise in the Godavari river, submerging several small temples near Ramkund and Godaghat and bringing the water level up to the chest of the iconic Dutondya Maruti idol, the city’s traditional flood marker.The rising river prompted the Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) to issue alerts to residents living along the riverbanks and in low-lying areas, advising them to remain vigilant and shift to safer locations if required. Vendors and traders operating near the riverfront also moved their belongings as water levels continued to rise.
There was extensive waterlogging across the city
The surge occurred even before any water release from the Gangapur dam. Flow at the weir below the Ahilyabai Holkar bridge, near Ramkund, increased dramatically from 644 cusec at 9am to 9,809 cusec by noon, resulting in inundation of temples located within the river channel.The Dutondya Maruti idol serves as Nashik’s unofficial flood gauge. Authorities consider the flood situation critical when the idol is completely submerged. While that level had not been reached by Wednesday afternoon, the rapidly rising waters kept officials on alert.Disaster management minister Girish Mahajan reviewed the situation during a visit to Ramkund along with NMC commissioner Manisha Khatri, mayor Himgauri Aher and police commissioner Sandeep Karnik.
Water is being released from the Nandur Madhyameshwar weir to regulate water levels in the Godavari
Speaking to reporters, Mahajan said, “Water is being released from the Nandur Madhyameshwar weir to regulate water levels in the Godavari and the discharge will be increased in phases if rainfall continues.” He appealed to residents living near the river to stay alert, avoid entering the river channel and refrain from taking cattle into flooded areas.The minister also urged farmers to shift agricultural equipment to safer locations and advised people not to venture out for monsoon tourism during the ongoing spell of heavy rainfall.Meanwhile, water releases from key reservoirs were increased. Discharge from Palkhed dam rose from 662 cusec in the morning to 2,740 cusec by noon, while discharge from the Nandur Madhyameshwar weir was raised from 18,400 cusec at 1pm to 40,123 cusec by 3pm.Authorities also issued alerts to residents of Chandori, Sakheda and other villages along the downstream stretch of the Godavari, warning them to remain cautious as river levels continue to rise.
Girish Mahajan reviewed the situation during a visit to Ramkund along with NMC commissioner Manisha Khatri, mayor Himgauri Aher and police commissioner Sandeep Karnik.
