KOLHAPUR: On Thursday morning, the Panchaganga River’s flood waters crossed the danger mark of 43 feet at the Rajaram barrage in Kolhapur city, prompting authorities to take precautionary measures. By 7 PM on Thursday, the river level was recorded at 43 feet 5 inches, with a discharge of 63,070 cusecs. The situation is reminiscent of July 24, 2021, when the river surged to 54 feet 7 inches, leading to significant disruptions across the district.
In response, the Kolhapur district collector has announced a holiday for all schools and colleges on July 26 and 27. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for Kolhapur on Friday and Saturday.
Floodwaters have gushed into low-lying areas such as Bapat Camp, Kumbhar Galli, Raman Mala, Jamdar Club, and Mukt-Sainik Vasahat. The district administration, along with NDRF and KDRF teams, has begun evacuating residents from these areas and riverside villages. By Thursday evening, 54 individuals from within the city limits and 653 from flood-affected villages, as well as 17 from landslide-prone areas, had been safely evacuated.
Heavy rainfall in the district’s dam catchment areas continued on Thursday, with an average of 48.1 mm recorded between 8 AM and 4 PM. Ajara tehsil experienced the highest rainfall at 85.4 mm. The Radhanagari dam reached capacity, leading to the opening of five automatic gates and the discharge of 8,640 cusecs into the Bhogavati River, a tributary of the Panchaganga.
The incessant rainfall has caused structural damage, including the collapse of five houses and partial damage to 23 others. Fifteen cattle sheds have been affected by the floods, and one cow has been reported dead. The swollen rivers have also led to the closure of 86 barrages and impacted 11 state highways, 29 major district roads, 13 other district roads, and 25 rural roads, affecting the daily milk collection of 25,000 litres.
Kolhapur’s guardian minister, Hasan Mushrif, held a review meeting on Thursday, urging residents to remain vigilant and evacuate when advised by authorities. He also emphasized the need for proper provisions, including food, water, and medical supplies, for those relocated due to the floods.
