NASHIK: Local residents heaved a sigh of relief after the alarming rise in water level in the Godavari river eased by Wednesday evening, when rainfall finally stopped.
On Wednesday afternoon, the water resources department put its plans to discharge around 15,000 cusec water from the Gangapur dam on hold as there was no further rainfall in the district. Further discharge from the dam would have inundated low lying areas on the banks of Godavari river.
Various government agencies were engaged in a flurry of activities on Wednesday as the water resources department enhanced the quantum of discharge from Gangapur dam following constant rain in Nashik, especially in the catchment area.
The water discharge, which was around 3,500 cusecs on Tuesday night, was increased to around 7,000 cusecs at 9 am on Wednesday. After a couple of hours, the quantum was further hiked to over 10,500 cusecs. The swelling Godavari river in Nashik city submerged small temples in Ramkund area.
The average rainfall in Nashik district over the last 24 hours, ending 8.30 am on Wednesday, was over 68.6 mm, including 39.4 mm in Nashik city. As many as 49 revenue circles in 15 talukas of the district received about 65 mm rainfall.
On Wednesday morning, district collector Suraj Mandhare issued an alert for those residing near the river to desist from venturing into it. Nashik rural superintendent of police Sachin Patil alerted police patils to remain vigilant and ensure that no one ventured into the river. The Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) had earmarked a few schools, where families would have to be shifted in case there was flooding in low-lying areas near Ramkund.
NMC teams, including fire tender personnel, were stationed at Ramkund and they removed a few shanties set up in encroached land near the riverbank. The teams used the public announcement system to warn people to move away from the riverbank.
Over 600 shopkeepers, including around 200 jewellers, whose shops are located in low lying areas of the city, started removing their goods from shops as they would get damaged, if inundated. The staff at these shops packed the goods in big bags before shifting them.
District guardian minister Chhagan Bhujbal visited Ramkund area in the evening, along with Nashik municipal commissioner Kailas Jadhav, to take stock of the situation.
Officials from NMC and water resources department said that the situation is stable in Ramkund since rainfall has stopped. “However, there is a need to remain alert as further rainfall would require higher discharge of water from Gangapur dam,” said an official.
