Heavy rains lashed parts of Pune district on Sunday, leading to widespread flooding on the Pune-Solapur Highway near Patas and causing major disruptions for motorists.Waterlogging in the area brought traffic to a crawl, with many vehicles struggling to move through submerged sections of the road.
Visuals shared by travelers showed portions of the highway completely underwater. In one video clip, several commuters were seen stranded on the central divider, while others waded cautiously through the inundated roadway in their cars and two-wheelers. The incident occurred amid relentless rainfall across several regions in Maharashtra, including Pune, Satara, and Solapur. The downpour has not only slowed traffic but also raised alarms about the condition of regional infrastructure. Earlier this week, a crack developed on a section of the Pune-Satara Highway, underlining growing concerns about the resilience of roadways during the monsoon.
In Daund taluka, especially near Swami Chincholi, water accumulation has worsened over the last four days. On Sunday afternoon, an Innova vehicle was swept off the road by a surge of water caused by the overflowing nullahs. Luckily, those inside the car managed to escape without injuries. The heavy rains have also affected other parts of Pune district. In rural areas, several vehicles were washed away, and the Pune-Hyderabad national highway had to be closed for traffic after backwater from Ujani dam inundated parts of the road. The stretch between Indapur and Bhigwan near Dalas village got flooded, prompting authorities to halt traffic for more than an hour. The flooding on the Pune-Solapur Highway has raised concerns about the region’s preparedness for such weather events. While authorities have initiated measures to address the immediate issues, the recurring nature of these incidents calls for a comprehensive review of the infrastructure and drainage systems to mitigate future risks.
As the monsoon season progresses, residents and commuters are urged to stay informed about weather conditions and avoid unnecessary travel during heavy rainfall. Authorities continue to monitor the situation and are working to restore normalcy in the affected areas. The events on the Pune-Solapur Highway highlight the vulnerabilities of road infrastructure during extreme weather conditions. As climate change leads to more unpredictable and intense rainfall patterns, it becomes imperative for urban planners and policymakers to invest in resilient infrastructure that can withstand such challenges.
While the immediate response to the flooding on the Pune-Solapur Highway has been commendable, it underscores the need for long-term planning and investment in infrastructure to ensure the safety and well-being of commuters during the monsoon season.
