Hundreds of residents in Nanded city, Maharashtra, have been moved to safety as intense rainfall over recent days has caused widespread inundation. Both the Godavari and Asna rivers are currently flowing significantly above their respective danger marks, officials reported on Wednesday (September 24, 2025).
In a drastic measure, all 16 gates of the Vishnupuri dam, a crucial source of drinking water for Nanded, were opened due to a sharp increase in inflow. This marks the first time in 25 years that all gates have been lifted, releasing over 2.5 lakh cusecs of water.
The Marathwada region, typically arid, has been ravaged by relentless rains in recent days, resulting in at least eight fatalities and extensive damage to homes and agricultural lands. Agriculture Minister Dattatray Bharne confirmed on Wednesday (September 24, 2025) that Nanded district has borne the brunt of this rainfall-induced devastation.
Officials confirmed that the surging Godavari and Asna rivers have breached their danger levels, leading to severe flooding across numerous areas within Nanded city and the wider district.
The large volume of water discharged from the Vishnupuri dam has caused inundation in several low-lying city areas, including Govardhan Ghat, Nav Ghat, Nagina Ghat, Degloor Naka, Vasrani, and Mujampeth.
Moreover, floodwaters have encroached upon significant sites such as the Govardhan Ghat crematorium, Sant Dasganu Maharaj Bridge, Shani Mandir, and the localities of Gadipura, Siddhanathpuri, and Chouphala.
While hundreds of residents have already been relocated to safer zones and temporary shelters, authorities anticipate further evacuations if river levels continue their upward trend. The precise number of affected individuals is still being determined.
A pressing concern is the potential for the Vishnupuri dam’s water discharge to escalate to three lakh cusecs within the coming hours, officials cautioned.
The Godavari river’s already swollen state is being exacerbated by substantial inflows from several upstream dams, including Jayakwadi in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Majalgaon in Beed, Siddheshwar, Khadakpurna, and Lower Dudhana.
According to officials, the river has already breached its warning level of 351 meters and has now surged past the critical danger mark of 354 meters.
In response to the escalating crisis, both the district administration and the Nanded Waghala City Municipal Corporation have issued urgent alerts to villages situated along the riverbanks. Police forces have been deployed to maintain order as numerous bridges and roads have become submerged.
The Godavari river’s backwaters have inundated thousands of hectares of agricultural land, leading to the destruction of vast expanses of standing crops.
The situation is further compounded by the rapidly rising water level of the Asna river within the district. Numerous connecting routes are now inaccessible due to overflowing tributaries and streams feeding into these main rivers.
Water Resources Department officials, including Executive Engineer Dattatraya Sawant, are closely monitoring the evolving flood situation.
Despite a slight decrease in rainfall since Tuesday (September 23, 2025), the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for Nanded, indicating the likelihood of further rainfall in the upcoming days.
The IMD’s forecast includes thunderstorms with lightning, light to moderate rainfall, and gusty winds ranging from 30 to 40 kmph in isolated areas on September 24, 25, and 26. A heavy rainfall warning has also been issued for September 27.