One Dead, 222 Rescued as Severe Monsoon Flooding Submerges Vasai-Virar
A 50-year-old watchman drowned and at least 222 people were rescued after torrential monsoon rains triggered severe flooding across the Vasai-Virar region, including Mangulipada-Bhoidapada in Vasai East, Madhuvan, Nalasopara East, and Virar's Global City, between Friday and Sunday.
The victim, Kishor Namdev Lokhande, was swept away by floodwaters on Saturday while attempting to reach his workplace in Mangulipada-Bhoidapada. Following an extensive search, his body was recovered from the Madhuvan area early on Sunday morning.
While Lokhande lost his life, fire brigade personnel and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) jawans managed to rescue at least 222 residents stranded in deeply waterlogged pockets across the region. Low-lying areas, particularly Nalasopara East and Virar's Global City, were submerged as heavy rains from Friday onwards disrupted daily life, turning roads into rivers and washing away vehicles.
According to Vasai-Virar Mayor Ajeev Patil, the region recorded over 170 mm of rainfall on Saturday between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., which caused waterlogging in more than 105 areas.
The disaster has sparked public outcry and political criticism against the Vasai-Virar City Municipal Corporation (VVCMC). BJP legislator Sneha Dubey-Pandit blamed the flooding on administrative inaction and flawed planning, pointing out that despite the VVCMC being established 16 years ago, the city still lacks an integrated underground sewage system and a storm water drainage master plan.
BJP leader Manoj Patil stated that a ₹12-crore flood control report prepared by NEERI and IIT-Bombay had not been implemented by the civic body. He added that while the VVCMC spends over ₹20 crore annually on drain-cleaning, smaller gutters in residential societies remain clogged and prevent water from flowing out.
In response, Sanjay Herwade, additional commissioner of VVCMC, claimed that 1,30,000 chambers and large drains were cleaned starting in January. However, Dubey-Pandit refuted this, alleging corruption in the tendering of smaller drains and calling for an official inquiry.
Minister of State for Urban Development Madhuri Misal announced that the government has ordered an investigation into the desilting works, with a report expected within eight days. She also stated a full-time city engineer would be appointed to the VVCMC within 15 days. VVCMC Commissioner B. Prithviraj said he has ordered officials to pinpoint the specific causes of waterlogging and find solutions.
