Video Captures Flooded Pune Central Railway Station After Sunday Rains

Pune: A sudden and intense downpour on Saturday brought Pune to a standstill, causing widespread flooding that severely affected the Pune railway station and multiple city areas. The rainfall, which occurred after ten days of dry weather, left several parts of the city submerged in knee-deep water, creating significant challenges for residents and commuters.

At the Pune railway station, passengers were caught off guard as water quickly flooded the portico, front yard, and platform areas. Platform number 4 was particularly hard hit, with water leaking from the roof, adding to the chaos. Passengers shared their frustrations on social media, highlighting the unsafe and slippery conditions on the platforms.

Vikas Deshpande, a member of the Zonal Railway Users’ Consultative Committee (ZRUCC), expressed concern over the situation: “Water is accumulating on the platform, making it slippery and unsafe for passengers, especially children and senior citizens. Passengers are struggling to find dry space, leading to overcrowding in some areas.”

The flooding also disrupted commutes to and from the station, with waterlogged roads making travel difficult. Satish Ghadge, an auto driver, noted that while some water had been drained, concerns remained about further rain.

In response, Indu Dubey, Divisional Railway Manager of Pune, explained that the station’s umbrella gate area is slightly slanted compared to adjacent roads, leading to water runoff. She assured that staff acted promptly to clear the passage and announced a 120-meter underground pipeline project to prevent future waterlogging. Regarding the roof leak on platform 4, Dubey pointed to garbage and plastic bottles clogging the gutters, which led to the overflow during the heavy rain. She confirmed that the blockage was cleared, resolving the issue.

The city’s infrastructure has also taken a hit. Areas like Vadgaon Sheri and the Station area were among the worst affected, with roads flooded, vehicles stranded, and traffic jams widespread. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast more heavy rains and thunderstorms on August 19 and 20, raising concerns of further disruptions.

As Pune braces for more rain, residents and authorities are working to manage the aftermath of this sudden and intense weather event.