Kolhapur: Pune-Bengaluru highway closed due to waterlogging

KOLHAPUR: The Pune-Bengaluru National Highway-4 in Kolhapur's Shiroli area was closed for traffic movement following waterlogging on the route due to continuous rain in the region.
Traffic movement on the stretch was halted after flooding in Panchganga river in Kolapur district following which Karnataka also stopped vehiclular movement near Belagavi.
Authorities said flood water has reached near Sangli Phata, 10km from Kolhapur. The MSRDC has asked respective collectors and police authorities to take immediate steps to stop vehicles in view of increasing flood threat near Kolhapur.
Police department in three districts – Satara, Sangli and Kolhapur, has deployed additional forces, particularly near toll plazas, to stop motorists from proceeding towards Kolhapur.
The decision was made after authorities reported waterlogging up to five feet on the road in the morning. The bridge on the Panchganga river is safe but authorities are not allowing any vehicles on it.
The MSRDC has urged people to avoid NH-4 till the flood water recedes. Authorities are also asking motorists to not to use alternate routes as incessant rains in three district have resulted into submerging of roads and bridges at several places.