NAGPUR: Unrelenting rain battered Nagpur for the third consecutive day on Wednesday, plunging large parts of the city into chaos. More than 40 localities — including Narendra Nagar, Trimurti Nagar, Cotton Market, Dharampeth, Wardha Road, and Omkar Nagar — were left waterlogged, forcing authorities to shut down all schools and colleges and triggering over 50 emergency calls within a matter of hours.
The deluge crippled normal life, especially in low-lying and densely populated areas. District Collector Vipin Itankar declared a holiday for all educational institutions, citing safety concerns amid rising floodwaters and inaccessible roads.
The Nagpur Municipal Corporation’s Fire and Emergency Services were inundated with distress calls starting as early as 1:30 am. By morning, every available vehicle and crew had been dispatched to assist residents stranded in their homes or dealing with flooded premises.
“Almost our entire fleet is on the ground right now,” said Chief Fire Officer Tushar Barahate, who, along with senior officials Arun Bhopale and Satish Rahate, has been monitoring the situation continuously from the NMC’s Command and Control Centre. The centre also houses the fire department’s control room, which has been working non-stop to coordinate rescue and relief operations.
Initially, the worst flooding was reported in Narendra Nagar, but within hours, calls began pouring in from across the city. “After Wardha Road and Omkar Nagar, the situation just spiraled. Now we’re seeing flooding everywhere,” Barahate said. Fire tenders from nearly every station were deployed to reach the affected zones.
Worst-hit areas include several residential colonies and commercial hubs in south and west Nagpur. Streets, basements, and markets were submerged under several feet of water, prompting dozens of rescue operations. “We’ve already responded to 40-50 emergency calls, and the phone hasn’t stopped ringing,” said a fire officer.
Despite the citywide deluge, officials reported a surprising bright spot — the downstream zone of Ambazari Dam, which typically poses overflow risks, remained stable. “We fully opened the dam gates yesterday, which helped avoid any major issues downstream,” Barahate explained.
The response force is still being reinforced as the rain continues. “We’re deploying additional teams and equipment as manpower becomes available. This is an ongoing operation,” another senior official said.
With more rainfall in the forecast and city drainage systems under strain, the situation remains fluid and tense. Authorities are urging residents in flood-prone areas to remain indoors and contact emergency services in case of immediate danger. The city continues to be on high alert.
