Heavy Rains and Flood Response Under Control, Says Commissioner Vijayalakshmi Bidari

Relief, Evacuation, and Inter-State Coordination in Full Swing across Nagpur and Wardha Districts

Nagpur : In the wake of heavy rainfall and emerging flood conditions, Maharashtra’s government machinery is fully prepared, with the current situation reportedly under control. Divisional Commissioner Vijayalakshmi Bidari confirmed that both the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have been deployed in Nagpur and Wardha districts, which are currently under an ‘Orange Alert’. Families affected by floods have already been relocated to safer places.

Presiding over a review meeting of flood-affected districts in the Nagpur Division, Commissioner Bidari instructed district administrations to stay fully alert and prioritize the evacuation of at-risk families. She emphasized temporary shelter and essential aid for the displaced.

The meeting was attended by District Collector Dr. Vipin Itankar, NIT Chairman Sanjay Meena, Gosikhurd Dam Chief Engineer Mr. Gawli, Additional Revenue Commissioner Rajesh Khawle, along with District Collectors, ZP CEOs, SPs, Municipal Commissioners, and other senior officials via video conferencing.

Many roads connecting rural areas have been cut off due to flooding. Commissioner Bidari directed authorities to set up alternative routes and ensure the safety of isolated villages. She also instructed that all water releases from major irrigation projects, including Gosikhurd, should be preceded by timely alerts to district and police authorities.

Casualties and Damage So Far:
Seven lives have been lost across the region—1 each in Nagpur and Wardha, 3 in Gondia, and 2 in Gadchiroli. A total of 1,190 houses have been partially damaged, and 117 completely destroyed. Additionally, 117 cattle sheds have been affected.

Evacuation Efforts Include:

• Nagpur: 138 homes affected; 57 people relocated
• Bhandara: 306 families relocated
• Gadchiroli: 156 families relocated
• Wardha: Road and bridge infrastructure damaged at 11 locations
• Nagpur: Traffic halted at 23 points
• Bhandara: 80 roads affected
• Gadchiroli: 21 roads shut
• Gondia: 9 roads inaccessible

Barricades and police monitoring have been deployed where traffic is blocked.

Irrigation and Water Release Updates:

• Gosikhurd Dam: 33 gates opened, releasing 5.29 lakh cusecs of water
• Bhandara city flood protection wall complete; pumping operations prevented flooding
• Vainganga River in Gadchiroli flowing a foot above danger level; villagers alerted
• Madhya Pradesh’s Sanjay Sarovar Dam: 2 gates opened, releasing 9,000 cusecs

The NDRF and SDRF are on standby in the region. Two helicopters and Indian Army teams are positioned in Gadchiroli and Nagpur, ready for deployment based on district-level directives. Commissioner Bidari assured that rescue and relief operations would continue with full preparedness.