Palghar Floods: 891 Evacuated Amid Relentless Rain

Palghar district has been placed on high alert due to relentless rain that started on Wednesday afternoon, causing a flood-like situation in Dahanu, Talasari, and other areas. The district had been receiving moderate rain since Monday, but the intensity increased on Wednesday, prompting a Red Alert.

The worst-affected areas were Dahanu and Talasari, where homes, shops, roads, and railway tracks were inundated, disrupting train and road traffic. Railway tracks were submerged, and water flowed over railway bridges, forcing Western Railway to temporarily suspend train movement.

Long-distance trains towards Mumbai were held up on the Gujarat side from early morning, and several long-distance trains were cancelled or short-terminated. Suburban services were restricted to Vangaon instead of Dahanu, and other locals ran with delays.

Waterlogging, overflowing bridges, and fallen trees also affected roads across Dahanu, Talasari, Palghar, and Vikramgad. Traffic was temporarily suspended on several stretches, including NH-48 and state highways in Dahanu.

The administration evacuated 891 people from 218 families, including 694 from 169 families in Dahanu, 65 from 14 families in Talasari, and 132 from 35 families in Palghar. They were shifted to relief centres and provided with food, drinking water, and essential facilities.

NDRF teams were deployed in Talasari and Dahanu, and other rescue teams remained on standby. In one instance, four members of a family trapped in a hut were rescued by local youth and police.

All schools, Ashram schools, anganwadis, and colleges remained closed on Thursday, and one rain-related death was reported in Dahanu. The district collector stated that all departments were prepared for rescue and relief operations.

The flood situation in Palghar district is a reminder of the importance of disaster preparedness and the need for effective rescue and relief operations. The district administration's efforts to evacuate residents and provide them with essential facilities are commendable.

The situation is being closely monitored, and residents are advised to stay safe and follow the instructions of the authorities. The Pinjal river has crossed the warning level, and other rivers and dams are being monitored.

In conclusion, the Palghar flood crisis has caused significant disruption to daily life, and the district administration's efforts to mitigate the situation are ongoing.