Maharashtra: Godavri continues to swell as rains lash Nashik

Nashik: With incessant rains lashing the district for the fourth consecutive day today, river Godavari and its tributaries remained in spate while several prominent temples were submerged due to flood.Over 100 people were rescued by the disaster management personnel from two flooded villages, officials said.[caption id="attachment_2933050" align="alignleft" width="380"] People marooned on the top of a submerged house in flood-hit in Nashik's neighbouring town, Valsad town on Tuesday after heavy rains. PTI[/caption]The flood situation in Godavari, which has crossed the danger mark, and rivers Darna, Kadva and other tributaries in Nashik district remained unchanged on Wednesday.The irrigation department released thousands of cusecs of water from Gangapur dam in Godavari, and also from Darna, Palkhed, Kadva and Valdevi dams at 9 AM today. Around 23,507 cusecs water was flowing under Ahilyabai Holkar bridge in Godavari as of now, officials said.City police have closed Holkar bridge for vehicular traffic and urged people not to gather at the flooded sites.The district collector has declared a holiday for schools and colleges today as a precautionary measure.The Datta temple, Balaji temple, Maruti temple and Khanderay temple in the city were submerged as the rains continued to pound the city.The villages of Chandori and Saykheda in Niphad taluka of the district were flooded and nearly 103 people were rescued by disaster management personnel.The sub-rivers of Nasardi, Waghadi and Saraswati were also in spate due to heavy rains.District Collector Radhakrishanan and Commissioner of Police S Jagannathan were monitoring the situation.The disaster management centre in collector's office was kept open round-the-clock, while an NDRF team is likely to arrive in Nashik from Pune to assist local administration.Several prominent markets, residential areas and slums in the city were also waterlogged throwing normal life out of gear, the officials said, adding that a similar situation had occurred here in 2008.