Chennai rain Nashik's wake-up call

NASHIK: The drowning of Chennai by a low-pressure belt in the last two days reminded most Nashikites the flood of 2008 and prompted the civic administration's disaster management cell to gear up for tiding over any such emergency situation.
Though civic officials said disasters of such a huge scale were unlikely in the city because of its geographical condition, all efforts would be taken to avert such a situation.
"Chennai is located along the seashore. When there is pressure of water from the Bay of Bengal, such incidents occur. But the effect on plateaus is less. This year Nashik did not have any rain. But if it rains suddenly, we are prepared to tackle a disaster like Chennai," said Anil Mahajan, the fire and disaster management chief in the civic body.
He added that construction was not permitted in the blue zone of the flood line, but people flouted norms. "Construction can be done only between the blue and the red lines where there is a difference in the levels. If natural rainfall is controlled, then there will be no problem," said Mahajan.
A civic official said, "We have cleared all the drainages and nullahs as part of the pre-monsoon work and also before the Kumbh Mela. This year we didn't have any rain and the city is reeling under a drought-like condition.
"Sometimes, the effects of natural calamities in one place affect another. When there were untimely rain in Delhi and Bengaluru, it rained in Nashik after a gap of 8-10 days. At present, our biggest problem is the drought-like situation. But the heavy rain and flooding in Chennai might affect Maharashtra also. The chances might be remote, but we should be prepared," said Sukant Gupta, a geography teacher.
He added that those living by the sea were living in danger more than those in other areas, but the low-lying areas in the city were at risk in rainy season. Among the low-lying areas in the city are localities in Panchavati near the river, some parts of Gangapur areas, Deolaligoan and areas near Nasardi.
Nullahs that can overflow
Two tributaries of the Godavari - Waghadi and Nasardi - overflow in the rainy season. Though the two tributaries have been reduced to nullahs because of human interference, people living in these areas would face the wrath of nature if there's a calamity.
The Nasardi river, which comes from Belgaon Dhaga off Trimbakeshwar road, has been declared by the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board as the worst polluted tributary when it enters the city. It is filled with sewage, drainage from public toilets and garbage and when this tributary overflows, water goes over the bridge in Tidke Colony. Slum dwellers in the area are the major sufferers.
"Encroachments and constructions on the blue line, channelising Waghadi, the slums in Nasardi, the attitude of politicians and lack of realisation by people are the reasons leading to any mishap. People play with the natural course of the river due to which there is reverse flow," said Rajesh Pandit, an environment activist.
"Since childhood, we have seen water coming down in full force from Waghadi to below Gadge Maharaj Bridge. There is no provision for storm water discharge in the gaothan area. Because there is no outlet for rainwater, it automatically goes into the drainage in case heavy rains and mixes with the river," said Devang Jani, another local resident and a social activist.