Pune: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena President Raj Thackeray inspected the flood-affected areas in Pune on Sunday (July 28).
During his visit, Thackeray criticized the administration, accusing them of not having a single joint meeting to address the issue. He questioned why, unlike other places in the world where alarms are used to notify about water releases, no such announcements or warnings were given here.
Despite the India Meteorological Department issuing a red alert for rainfall in the city, and the Water Resources Department warning on Monday (July 22) about potential water release from dams, the municipal corporation remained inactive.
As a result, around 4,000 residents of Ektanagar on Sinhagad Road had to abandon their homes due to flooding. This disaster, caused by the lack of action despite warnings, highlighted the lack of coordination between the Pune Municipal Corporation and the Water Resources Department, with Pune residents holding the administration responsible for the losses.
Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar had visited the Sinhagad Road area to understand the citizens' problems and assured appropriate action against responsible officials. Following this, MP Murlidhar Mohol also acknowledged the administration's fault.
Raj Thackeray visited areas like Ektanagari and Nimbjanagari on Sinhagad Road. During his inspection, residents expressed their grievances to him, stating that they were not informed about the impending water release and that no announcements were made.
Once they realized the water was coming, they scrambled to react, but within 15 to 20 minutes, the water level rose from their waists to their necks. The authorities had released water at a rate of about 50,000 to 55,000 cusecs.
Residents shared their fears with Thackeray, stating that had they been informed any later, there would have been casualties. Raj Thackeray assured the residents of his support and assistance.
