Maharashtra: Panchganga river flows above danger mark

According to an official, the Panchaganga river in Kolhapur district of Maharashtra is still flowing above the danger mark, but the rise in water level is slow. The danger mark of the river at Rajaram weir is at 43 feet.

Kolhapur (Maha): The water level of the flooded Panchganga river in Kolhapur district of Maharashtra reduced to some extent on Saturday, but it is still above the danger mark, an official said.

Water level of the river at Rajaram weir (barrage), located on the outskirts of Kolhapur city, was recorded at 44.6 feet, receding by four inches since Friday evening, the official of the local disaster management cell said.

The danger mark of the river at the weir is at 43 feet, he said.

On Friday, the level of the river rose after water was discharged from Radhanagari dam in the district following heavy showers in the catchment area.

Considering the rainfall in the catchment areas and Radhanagari dam almost reaching its capacity, water is currently being released at 7,112 cusecs, the official said.

The district administration had on Friday said that over 5,000 people from 23 flood-prone villages had been evacuated.

Last year, unprecedented rainfall had wreaked havoc in western Maharashtra, especially in Kolhapur and Sangli districts, claiming over 60 lives. (Inputs from PTI)