Flooding submerges all four bridges to Alandi ahead of Ashadhi Wari

Pune, Jul 6: More than 400 devotees stranded in flood-hit areas of Alandi in Maharashtra's Pune district were rescued and shifted to safety on Monday after the Indrayani river inundated several parts of the pilgrimage town, officials said.Indrayani River flooding, Alandi, Pune !!Indrayani River is currently at one of its highest flood levels in recent years after intense rainfall in the Khandala–Lonavala region. Continued heavy precipitation across the Lonavala–Pune corridor raises the risk of further flooding… pic.twitter.com/g7CUkZU8yE— Naveen Reddy (@navin_ankampali) July 6, 2026 Large-scale rescue operationsAccording to the district administration, rescue teams evacuated 408 devotees from different locations in Alandi, comprising 220 from the Dnyaneshwari Mandir area, 100 from Indrayani Nagari, 60 from Thakurbuwa Mandap and 28 from Gopalpura.Devotees stranded individually at various other locations were also shifted to safer places by teams comprising the civic administration, police, fire brigade, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and disaster management personnel, they added.Rescue teams also shifted around 150 cattle from inundated areas to safer locations, officials said.Warnings issued ahead of pilgrimageEarlier, the Pune district administration had urged Warkaris and devotees to avoid entering Alandi, as the overflowing Indrayani River had submerged all four bridges leading into the temple town ahead of the upcoming 'palkhi' (palanquin) procession of Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj.The IMD issued a 'red alert' for Pune on Monday, warning of heavy rains in the district.With thousands of pilgrims expected to reach the town for the July 8 procession, officials declared the town inaccessible and issued an urgent appeal for those already enroute to halt their journeys to ensure their safety amid the flooding."All four bridges over the Indrayani River providing access to Alandi have submerged due to flooding. It is not safe to travel to the town at present," the administration stated in a release.It urged Warkaris and devotees who have already started their journey to halt at their present locations and avoid entering the town until further directions.The administration also appealed to people not to believe rumours and to strictly follow instructions issued by the local authorities, police and disaster management cell.Devotees were advised to stay away from the riverbed, ghats and bridges that have been closed due to the flood situation, it said."The administration is taking all necessary measures to ensure public safety. Citizens are requested to remain patient and cooperate with the authorities," the release said.Authorities Urge Devotees Not To Travel To Alandi As Indrayani River Floods, Submerges All Four Access BridgesRainfall and damage in Pune districtPune district witnessed heavy rains on Monday, triggering landslides, one of which killed three persons of a family, and disruption to road and rail traffic.According to the district administration, 27 revenue circles received more than 65 mm of rainfall, with Maval recording the highest precipitation of 237.3 mm.(Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by FPJ's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)To get details on exclusive and budget-friendly property deals in Mumbai & surrounding regions, do visit: https://budgetproperties.in/

Authorities have issued an urgent public appeal asking devotees and Warkaris not to travel to Alandi after the Indrayani River flooded following heavy rainfall, submerging all four bridges that provide access to the pilgrimage town.Sansthan and Municipal Council Issue Joint AppealAccording to the appeal issued by the Shri Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Sansthan Committee and the Alandi Municipal Council, entry into Alandi is currently unsafe as all four river bridges have gone under water.Devotees and Warkaris who have already begun their journey towards Alandi have been urged to halt at the nearest safe location and avoid attempting to enter the town until further instructions are issued.Public Told to Avoid Riverbed, Ghats and Closed BridgesThe administration has appealed to the public to strictly follow directions issued by the police and disaster management authorities, refrain from believing rumours, and stay away from the riverbed, ghats and all closed bridges.Palghar's Kelwa Dam Reaches Full Capacity After Heavy Rains, Authorities Release Water And Shift Families To SafetyAuthorities said all necessary safety measures are being taken and appealed to the public to remain calm and cooperate with the administration amid the flood situation.The advisory comes ahead of the Ashadhi Wari 2026 and the departure ceremony of the Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Palkhi, which draws lakhs of devotees every year.To get details on exclusive and budget-friendly property deals in Mumbai & surrounding regions, do visit: https://budgetproperties.in/

Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar on Monday urged Warkaris to avoid coming to Alandi for the Palkhi procession of Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj, as the overflowing Indrayani River has submerged all four bridges leading into the temple town.अत्यंत महत्त्वाचं सार्वजनिक आवाहनआषाढी वारी २०२६ – श्री संत ज्ञानेश्वर महाराज पालखी प्रस्थान सोहळासर्व वारकरी, भाविक आणि नागरिकांना नम्र आवाहन करण्यात येते की, मुसळधार पावसामुळे इंद्रायणी नदीला मोठ्या प्रमाणात पूर आला असून आळंदी शहरात प्रवेश करणारे नदीवरील चारही पूल…— Sunetra Ajit Pawar (@SunetraA_Pawar) July 6, 2026 Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Pawar said, "All Warkaris, devotees and citizens are earnestly requested to note that heavy rainfall has caused severe flooding in the Indrayani River, submerging all four bridges that provide access to Alandi city. Consequently, entering Alandi city is currently unsafe."'Don't Gather In Dehu & Alandi': CM Devendra Fadnavis' Urgent Appeal To Warkaris Amid Flood Threat In Pune District "Warkaris and devotees who have already begun their journey towards Alandi are advised to remain safely where they currently are and refrain from attempting to enter Alandi until further official instructions are issued," she added.WATCH: Floodwaters have swamped Alandi ahead of the Ashadhi Wari. All four bridges are closed, ghats are underwater and temporary facilities have been washed away. With lakhs of devotees set to arrive, is Pune prepared for the challenge? #AshadhiWari pic.twitter.com/nwxGY1amu5— Varad Bhatkhande | Journalist (@VaradBhatkhande) July 6, 2026 Pawar urged Warkaris to strictly adhere to the guidelines issued by the administration, police and the Disaster Management Department. "Do not believe rumours. Furthermore, avoid visiting the riverbed, ghat areas and the vicinity of the closed bridges. The administration is implementing all necessary measures, prioritising the safety of citizens above all else. We humbly request everyone to exercise patience and cooperate with the administration," she concluded.Pune: Talegaon Dabhade Residents Catch Huge Fish On Flooded Street; Video Goes Viral The annual Ashadhi Wari is set to begin this week, with Sant Tukaram Maharaj's Palkhi scheduled to leave Dehu on Tuesday, July 7, followed by Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj's Palkhi from Alandi on Wednesday, July 8. Lakhs of devotees are expected to participate in the pilgrimage to Pandharpur, and authorities are closely monitoring the weather, river levels and crowd management arrangements.

Pune: As heavy rainfall continues across Pune district and water levels in the Indrayani River rise rapidly, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday appealed to Warkaris to avoid gathering in Dehu and Alandi, warning that all four bridges over the river are getting submerged.In a post on X, Fadnavis said travelling towards the two pilgrimage towns has become dangerous due to the flood situation. "All four bridges over the Indrayani River are currently getting submerged, and heading to that area is dangerous. Therefore, all Warkari brothers are requested to avoid gathering in Dehu and Alandi and instead proceed directly to Pune for their convenience," he said.The appeal comes as thousands of Warkaris are travelling towards Pune as part of the annual Ashadhi Wari pilgrimage to Pandharpur. The two waris leave from Dehu Gaon and Alandi, and both are based around the Indrayani River, which has swelled massively in recent hours.Continuous heavy rainfall over the past two days has caused the Indrayani River to swell, prompting authorities to issue flood warnings and shift residents from vulnerable riverside areas in parts of Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad.The appeal is among the rarest interventions by a sitting chief minister during the Ashadhi Wari, with Devendra Fadnavis urging Warkaris to avoid gathering at the traditional starting points of Dehu and Alandi because of severe flooding in the Indrayani River.WATCH: Just Days Before Ashadhi Wari, Floodwaters Swamp Pune’s Alandi; All Four Bridges Shut A lot of times the Ashadhi Wari starts in the rainy season, but it rarely makes it impossible for Warkaris to visit Dehu and Alandi.

Pimpri-Chinchwad: Continuous heavy rainfall has triggered flooding in the Indrayani River at Alandi, forcing the authorities to close all four bridges in the temple town ahead of the annual Ashadhi Wari. The rising water level has also disrupted preparations for the departure of Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj's Palkhi, as thousands of Warkaris have already gathered in Alandi.Heavy rain over the past two days across Maval and the dam catchment areas has led to a sharp rise in the river's water level. The Indrayani is flowing in spate, with water submerging both river ghats and reaching above the Shani Temple area.WATCH: Floodwaters have swamped Alandi ahead of the Ashadhi Wari. All four bridges are closed, ghats are underwater and temporary facilities have been washed away. With lakhs of devotees set to arrive, is Pune prepared for the challenge? #AshadhiWari pic.twitter.com/nwxGY1amu5— Varad Bhatkhande | Journalist (@VaradBhatkhande) July 6, 2026 Four Bridges Connecting Alandi Are Closed…Water has also entered the Siddhabet and Mauli Bagh areas. As a precaution, cows and calves from the local goshala have been shifted to a safer place. Temporary changing tents set up for devotees at the Indrayani Ghat have been washed away, while shopkeepers along the riverbank have started moving their goods to safer locations.The Alandi Municipal Council has temporarily closed all four bridges over the Indrayani River for public safety. Water has already flowed over three bridges, while the water level has begun rising on the fourth bridge as well. Problem For Ashadhi Wari?Police personnel and municipal staff have been deployed near the river and are urging people not to enter the riverbed or approach the riverbank. The administration has also appealed to citizens not to cross the closed bridges or enter restricted areas.Madhav Khandekar, Chief Officer of the Alandi Municipal Council, urged residents and devotees to cooperate with the administration, avoid believing rumours and follow only official instructions.Pune: Senior Health Officials Review Preparedness For Ashadhi Palkhi Procession The flooding comes as Pune district remains under a Red Alert issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), which has warned of very heavy rainfall and strong winds.The annual Ashadhi Wari is set to begin this week, with Sant Tukaram Maharaj's Palkhi scheduled to leave Dehu on Tuesday, July 7, followed by Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj's Palkhi from Alandi on Wednesday, July 8. Lakhs of devotees are expected to participate in the pilgrimage to Pandharpur, and authorities are closely monitoring the weather, river levels and crowd management arrangements.