Living on the edge in flood zone

AURANGABAD: Over 120 people stuck in surging floodwaters in Latur and Nanded districts were rescued on Sunday, even as the region continued to receive showers.
Latur district, which was the worst drought-affected region in the state this year, reported 70.34 mm rain in the 24 hours till 8.30am on Sunday. Officials said the flood situation was under control after the rainfall activity reduced from Saturday night.
Latur district disaster management officer Saqueb Osmani said 36 people from Ausa, Ahmedpur, Renapur and Chakur taluka were rescued by local machinery before the arrival of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) battalion of 35 personnel in the wee hours of Sunday. Later, the NDRF workers safely took out another 35 people till Sunday evening, he said.
Heavy rainfall over the past fortnight had lifted the Manjra dam out of dead storage to be filled up to the capacity. Water was being discharged from the dam at a rate of 22,630 cubic feet per second through six gates operating at height of 1.5 metre for the second consecutive day.
A part of the NDRF team that has reached Latur was being moved to Nanded, where major rivers are still overflowing. Nanded district collector Suresh Kakani said Lendi and Manar rivers were witnessing heavy inflow, while Godavari and Painganga rivers were relatively calm.
"Around 49 people have been rescued in different operations in the past 36 hours from Nanded. The NDRF team is expected to reach Nanded shortly to face any eventuality. The situation is in control so far, he said. Nanded district reported 32.31 mm showers during past 24-hours.
Osmanabad district reported heavy rainfall (more than 65 mm) in nine circles. Aarati Waghe, 25, and her two-year-old son Malhar died at around 2 am on Sunday in a house wall collapse. Another wall collapse incident was reported from Mangrul village, in which two people were injured.
Osmanabad district disaster management officer Vrushali Telore said a rescue operation was on at Kamalpur in Lohara taluka, where one family was stranded after water was released from a nearby dam. "Road connectivity to four villages from Washi taluka of Osmanabad district was being cut-off due to overflowing of Manjra River. All villagers, however, are safe, authorities said.
Heavy rainfall in Beed district spiked rumours of breach in Dokewadi percolation tank located in upstream areas of Bindusara dam but the district administration has appealed to citizens not to believe in such hearsays.
Bindusara River passing through Beed city had taken a ravage look and residents told TOI that the flooding was worse than the deluge in 1989. "The floodwaters has entered city areas that are considered safe. I have never seen Bindusara River so violent before," said Asha Deshpande, a resident of Shivaji Nagar.
Water was being released at a rate of 74,000 cusecs through 11 gates of the Majalgaon dam in Beed district, which was showing precariously low storage till last month.
Water release from Lower Terna dam could worsen situation
Possible release of water from Lower Terna dam in Osmanabad district, which is nearly getting filled to its capacity, could cause further flooding in some areas located near the confluence of Manjra River and Terna River. High alert has been sounded to the 10,000 residents of Aurad Shahajani, a village in Nilanga taluka of Latur district. While Manjara River has been already overflowing in some stretches due to release of water from Manjra dam, further release of water into Terna River could create serious situation where both these rivers meet, authorities from Latur district administration said.
Nanded district administration is also keeping an eye on Yesgi and a few other places in Biloli taluka, following water release through Nijam Sagar dam by Telangana government. Built in basins of Manjara and Godavari river, Nijam Sagar dam releases water into the Godavari, which in turns flows towards Nanded district before heading towards Pochampad dam also known as Shriram Sagar project in Telangana.