Maharastra Flood Situation
Heavy Rains Paralyzed life in Maharastra
2005-07-28
Rev. S. C. David and Rev. Dr. Shekhar Singh

Western part of Maharastra experienced torrential rain on July 24th , 25th, 26th and 27th 2005 for four consecutive days, which caused grave flood situation in the western part of the Maharastra. The rainfall recorded in many district is very astonishing as in a single day in Santacruz (Bombay) recorded 995 mm of rain. This kind of unprecedented rainfall caused flood in many western districts of Maharastra. Most of the rivers, like Warna, Panchaganga, Tulsi, Dhamani, Kumbhi, Kasari, Bhogwati, Krisna, Pavana, Mula, Mutha and Yerala, are flowing above the danger line and many areas are still under the water. The districts, which are very badly affected, are Bombay, Thane, Raigarh, Kolhapur, Sangli, Pune and the Konkan region.

It is reported that more than 500 people are feared dead and the causalities could be more, as many places are still unreachable due to the continuation of heavy downpour. More than 150 people were feared to have died in sleep in Jui village of Raigarh district.  34 people were killed due to landslide at Kondiwate. Landslide killed eight people in Roha, three in Poladpur, nine people were drowned in Mahad. Landslide is reported in Amba, Karul, Bhuibawda and traffic were clogged in many places. 

Bombay came to a grinding halt as the torrential rain paralyzed road, rail and air traffic as all the international and domestic flights were routed to Hyderabad and Chennai and Delhi as the run way in Bombay Airport was flooded. No flights could land or take off from Bombay Airport till Thursday morning. All the long distance trains and Suburban trains were cancelled as the tracks were under flooding water. Huge crowd can be seen in main two-railway terminus in CST and Bombay Central.  Most Roads were under water as three to four feet high flooding water flowing over the roads. Most of the vehicles like car, trucks had to stay on road for three days and serpentine line of vehicles could be seen in may places in Bombay.

Communication systems like telephone, mobile were also badly affected which caused great chaos in Bombay and surroundings. Power supply was also affected due to heavy rains. In Bombay 60percent of the population lives in huts or shanty and most were washed away in floodwater. They have also lost all their belongings.

In Pune the situation too is very grim as thousands of people were affected as the flooding water destroyed temporary shelters and huts. The army personnel rescued people from many housing societies to safer places. Places, which were affected are Bopodi, Pimperi, Chinchwad, Kalewadi  and Sangavi.

Deputy Chief Minister R. R. Patil said that the situation is very alarming in may part of western Maharastra and the causality may go up as water recedes from many areas. He informed that the army, navy and airforce are involved in the massive rescue and relief operations.
 
The flooding has affected many congregations of the Hindustani Covenant Church in the Western part of Maharastra. Pastors from Panvel, Kalyan,  Bhiwandi, Andheri and Santacruz have reported that the congregation members have suffered heavy loss of property and belongings. Pastor Yeshunath Kalekar reported that his house was flooded and his belongings were destroyed. Many of his congregation members also suffered huge loss of their belongings. Reports are coming from Pastors of Tasgaon, Bopodi and Dapodi that too have suffered great loss.

There is greater need to mobilize the resources to help the flood affected people as people have lost every thing they had. There is a scarcity of safe drinking water, food, medicine and provision of first Aid.

The Hindustani Covenant Church has started some relief and rehabilitation work in Pune, Bombay and Tasgaon area with the help of our sister Church Mission Covenant Church of Sweden. There is much need to be done for the flood affected people who have lost everything and they are on roads looking for help to arrive. Some places in Raigarh and Konkan areas the help has still not reached to the flood affected people even after three days.

For Hindustani Covenant Church,

Rev. S. C. David and Rev. Dr. Shekhar Singh
July 28, 2005