Heavy rains lashed Palghar district in Maharashtra overnight, causing flooding in villages, and damaging houses, roads, and bridges, officials said on Monday, reported the PTI.
A 55-year-old man, identified as Sadanand Devoo Bhurbhura from Raipur-Gimbalpada, was reportedly swept away by floodwaters in Dahanu taluka late Sunday night. His body was later recovered in Kalamdevi, said Vivekanand Kadam, chief of the district’s disaster management cell, according to the PTI.
The heavy downpour led to the collapse of several key roads and bridges. The road between Vankas Ambewadi and Savne was washed away, halting vehicular traffic. Similarly, the Sevge Chavadpada-Kotharpada Road collapsed, prompting local authorities to shut it and arrange an alternative route, the news agency reported.
In Jawhar taluka, a major bridge linking Wavar and Vangani was washed away, disrupting traffic completely. Emergency teams, including police and revenue officials, carried out rescue operations across the district.
At least 50 villagers were rescued from Pimpalshet, 25 residents were shifted to a Zilla Parishad school in Wada taluka and in Talasari taluka, 36 residents of Ozarpada in Wadavli were rescued after being marooned overnight. Preliminary assessments suggest around 50 houses have sustained damage, and panchnama (damage assessment) surveys are currently underway, officials said, as per the PTI.
Authorities are on high alert, as the Vaitarna and Pinjal rivers are flowing above warning levels, increasing the risk of further flooding if rains persist.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had issued a red alert for extremely heavy rainfall in the region on Sunday. Disaster response teams, local police, and revenue officials continue to monitor the situation closely.
As part of precautionary measures, the Palghar district administration had on Sunday evening declared a holiday for all schools in the district on Monday, September 29, 2025.
An official notification was issued by District Collector of Dr Indu Rani Jakhar.
It said that the decision was taken after the IMD issued a red alert for the district on September 28, predicting “heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places with extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places.” The Collector noted that continuous downpours have led to rising water levels in rivers and dams, increasing the risk of flooding on roads, bridges, and low-lying areas.
An orange alert has been issued for the district on Monday, September 29, which has further justified the need for the precautionary closure of educational institutions, it said.
As per the notification, the holiday applies to all Anganwadis, government and private primary and secondary schools, Zilla Parishad schools, municipal schools, aided and unaided schools, ashram schools, colleges, and vocational training centres in the district.
However, in view of emergency preparedness, headmasters, teachers, and non-teaching staff have been asked to report to work during regular hours and assist civic officials with disaster management efforts if needed, it said.
(with PTI inputs)
