Maharashtra rains: Panchaganga river overflowing, 58 barrages submerged

KOLHAPUR: The heavy rainfall over the past three days across the district and in the catchment areas of the dams has caused the Panchaganga river to overflow at the Panchaganga ghat.
The water level of the river on Wednesday was 13 feet at the Rajaram barrage. By Thursday evening, it had risen to 31.1 feet — an increase of almost 18 feet within a day. It is to be noted that the warning level is 39 feet. If the intense rainfall continues, then a further increase in the river water level is expected.
The intensity of the rain lashing the district increased on Wednesday evening, and it continued incessantly till Thursday noon. Citizens got a little respite in the afternoon, but the rain started again by the evening. In 24 hours, Kolhapur district had received 104.3mm rainfall. The Gaganbawda taluka received the most (182.7mm), followed by Shahuwadi (127mm) and Radhanagari (119mm).
The Rajaram barrage over the Panchaganga river was submerged disconnecting the Vadange, Nigwe, Pohale, Bhuye, Bhuyewadi and Kushire villages from the Kasba Bawda area of the city. Commuters to and from these villages had to take a long route via Shiye village or use the Shivaji bridge.
As per the district disaster management officials, 58 barrages in the district were submerged due to swollen river waters. Seven barrages over the Panchaganga river, four over Bhogawati and Kumbhi rivers, six over Warna, three over Tulsi and Tamraparni rivers, 10 barrages over Vedganga river, eight over Hiranyakeshi river, four barrages over Ghatprabha, Dudhganga and Kasari rivers were among the barrages submerged affecting the traffic movement on both sides.
A part of the bridge over a stream got washed away on the stretch between Chandre and Majgaon village on the Kolhapur-Gargoti route. Traffic on the Kolhapur-Gargoti state highway has been diverted via the Nidhori route and MSRTC buses to Gargoti from Kolhapur have been diverted via the Kagal-Nidhori route. Five district routes have also been inundated.