Landslides near Bhimashankar shut two key roads after heavy rain

Heavy rain with thunder and lightning lashed the Kondhaval area adjoining the Shri Kshetra Bhimashankar pilgrimage site near Manchar around 7:30 pm on Wednesday, September 23. The extremely heavy rain, which lasted about two to two and a half hours, disrupted daily life in the area. Bhimashankar is an important pilgrimage site in the state, and the adjoining hill hamlets of Kondhaval, Shindewadi and Gavandewadi bore the brunt of the rain.

Roads suffered the worst damage. A landslide at Kachal Ghat on the Kondhaval-Dhagewadi road completely blocked it, with large amounts of mud, stones and gravel piling up on the road and halting traffic from Kondhaval towards Dhagewadi. At the same time, a landslide occurred on the Nigadale-Bhimashankar route between Kondhaval Fata and Kondhaval village, and large trees were uprooted and fell directly onto the road, making it impossible to drive through. Both major roads connecting the area were thus shut at the same time on the same night.

With both key roads blocked simultaneously, residents of Kondhaval, Shindewadi and Gavandewadi faced major difficulties. About two hundred families in the area use these two roads for their daily commute. Students heading to school and college, farmers, people travelling out for work, and those making essential journeys were all left in distress. The two hundred families who step out for daily work had no option but to look for alternative routes.

Locals said people needed to be careful while using the road because of the mud, stones and fallen trees on it. Local residents demanded that the administration inspect the site, promptly clear the landslide debris and fallen trees, and restore both roads for traffic. Taking note of the demand, the gram panchayat swiftly took up the work of clearing the trees and landslide debris with the help of a JCB to reopen the road.

The heavy rain also had a positive effect. With rain having stayed away for over a month, the flow of the Kondhaval waterfall had reduced sharply, and its draw as a tourist spot had waned. But the heavy rain on Wednesday night filled the hill streams again, sending a large volume of water from the catchment area into the waterfall, which is now flowing forcefully once more.

As news of the waterfall flowing again spread, tourist numbers have started rising, with many visitors heading to Kondhaval for the view. However, citing the increased water flow and slippery terrain, the forest department has barred tourists from entering the waterfall for safety reasons.