Heavy Rains In Palghar District Cause Chaos And Submerge Bridges, Stranding Residents

Palghar, 2nd July 2023: Palghar district experienced relentless downpours over the past four days, leading to severe flooding and the submersion of key bridges. The situation worsened in the early hours of Saturday, as the Surya, Pinjali, Deherja, Vaitrana, and Gargai rivers surged past their danger levels, posing a threat to the safety of the district’s residents.

One of the main areas affected by the flooding is the Kanchad-Kurze route, an essential district road connecting Wada and Vikramgad talukas. The bridge at Bramhangaon, spanning the Deherja river, was completely submerged in water, rendering the route impassable for commuters. As a result, all traffic on the Kanchad-Kurze route has come to a standstill since this morning, causing significant disruptions for commuters and local residents.

The residents of the area have long been aware of the vulnerability of the Bramhangaon-Kurze bridge, which consistently succumbs to flooding during heavy monsoon rains. At times, this situation leads to a complete disconnection between the affected area and the talukas, leaving citizens isolated for extended periods, often four or more days. Kishore Shelar, a social worker in the region, has appealed to Palghar Guardian Minister and Public Works Minister Ravindra Chavan to prioritize raising the bridge’s height to mitigate future flood-related issues.

In addition to the Kanchad-Kurze route, the Peek-Gargaon road has also been adversely affected by the unforgiving weather conditions. The bridge at Shilottar, spanning the Gargai river, has been submerged due to the heavy rains, prompting authorities to halt all traffic on this road. The suspension of bus services and the obstruction of other vehicles have further exacerbated the situation, leaving commuters stranded and increasing the overall chaos caused by the flooding.

The severity of the flooding became apparent when the bridge at Shilottar went under water after 11 a.m. Prior to that, until 10 o’clock in the morning, students from Ambepada and Chinchpada had managed to reach schools and colleges located at the taluka levels via ST buses. However, as the floodwaters continued to rise until 2 o’clock in the afternoon, various students, citizens, and hundreds of vehicles were left waiting on the riverbank, unable to cross the bridge.