Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s highly anticipated visit to Pune, scheduled for Thursday, has been canceled due to severe rainfall that hit the city on Wednesday, as confirmed by sources in the Prime Minister’s Office. The decision comes as Pune grapples with the aftermath of intense downpours and forecasts of continued rain.
The Prime Minister was set to inaugurate the crucial Shivajinagar to Swargate Metro train stretch, an event deemed significant ahead of the upcoming Maharashtra assembly polls. BJP sources have indicated that discussions are already underway to reschedule the visit for next week, emphasizing the importance of the Metro project.
The original venue for the public rally at the SP College campus faced severe waterlogging and mud accumulation, rendering it unsuitable for the event. Local authorities worked tirelessly to address the situation, but the ground conditions remained problematic until early Thursday morning. Efforts to relocate the event to the Ganesh Kala Krida auditorium were considered; however, the Special Protection Group raised concerns about this alternative location.
The cancellation follows a grim weather forecast from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), which issued an orange alert for Pune due to the unprecedented rainfall. On Wednesday evening, the city recorded a staggering 131 mm of rain in just three hours, marking the highest 24-hour rainfall for September in the past 86 years. The previous record was set on September 21, 1938, with 132.3 mm of rain.
The deluge has caused widespread disruption, with commuters reporting journey times three times longer than normal, highlighting the strain on Pune’s infrastructure amidst the extreme weather conditions. Local authorities are now focused on addressing the impacts of the heavy rain and preparing for any potential further rainfall, as advised by the IMD.
As the city deals with the challenges posed by the weather, the future of Prime Minister Modi’s visit remains uncertain, with hopes of rescheduling hinging on improvements in conditions in the coming days.
Sources By Agencies
