Baramati gets 158 mm rain; civic body clears water from main roads in two hours

Heavy rain disrupted life in Baramati city, but a Nagar Parishad team drained water from the main roads in just two hours and got traffic moving again. By 7 am on Monday, 158 mm of rain had been recorded in the city, submerging low-lying areas.

The rain began before dawn and continued without a break. Water rose knee-deep in many low-lying parts of the city. Water began flowing over several major roads, including the main Bhigwan Road, making it difficult for vehicles to move. With commuters likely to face trouble heading out to work in the morning, the Nagar Parishad administration began arrangements immediately.

On learning of the intensity of the rain and the situation in the city, Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar contacted the administration and gave necessary instructions. She took stock of the situation from Nagar Parishad president Sachin Satav and chief officer Pankaj Bhuse. Special emphasis was laid on draining water from low-lying areas and restoring traffic. MP Parth Pawar and youth leader Jay Pawar also passed on necessary information.

Nagar Parishad president Sachin Satav, chief officer Pankaj Bhuse, councillors, and Nagar Parishad officers and staff reached the spot themselves and stepped up the pace of work. The teams concerned worked on a war footing to drain water, clear obstructions from roads and restore traffic. Coordination was also maintained with the Public Works Department and the traffic department. As a result, conditions on the main roads returned to normal within just two hours.

The working style of the late Ajit Pawar was also recalled on the occasion. It was said that, along with Baramati's development, he had established a culture of promptness, discipline and accountability to people's questions in the administration. The same tradition of taking quick decisions in a crisis and putting work on the ground first was seen again this time. The crisis caused by the rain was serious, yet elected representatives and the administration worked together to try to give people relief.

The speed with which the administration worked despite 158 mm of rain in a single night, waterlogging in low-lying areas and the challenge of traffic was much discussed. The effort sent the message that, however big the crisis, Baramati's system is ready to help people.