Palghar Floods Leave 10 Dead and Force Evacuation of Over 1200 Residents
Continuous heavy rainfall has claimed 10 lives in Palghar district and forced the evacuation of 1,261 residents across the talukas of Palghar, Vasai, Virar, and Wada as of July 7, 2026. The severe weather dumped an average of 203 mm of rain within a 24-hour period, leading to widespread flooding, waterlogging, and severe disruptions.
Palghar District Collector and Chairperson of the District Disaster Management Authority, Dr. Indu Rani Jakhar, confirmed the details during a press conference on Tuesday. She stated that the administration has prioritised saving lives and ensuring timely rehabilitation of the affected residents.
A total of 389 families, comprising 1,261 individuals, have been safely evacuated from flood-prone areas. They have been relocated to temporary relief centres set up in schools, churches, and community halls across Palghar, Vasai, and Wada talukas, where they are being provided with food, drinking water, and essential facilities.
To assist with rescue operations, one team each from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) has been deployed in Virar and Vasai. Emergency teams are also monitoring vulnerable locations around the clock.
The rain-related casualties include three deaths recorded in the 24 hours leading up to Tuesday, bringing the total death toll since July 1 to 10. Additionally, one person is missing after being swept away in the Surya River near Dahanu. Reports of wall collapses and drownings in overflowing streams and flooded fields have emerged from Vasai, Talasari, and Dahanu talukas.
Infrastructure and water bodies are under close observation. The Mahim–Kelwa Minor Irrigation Dam has reached 100 percent capacity, prompting a controlled discharge of 2,951 cusecs. Although a portion of the dam's pitching wall was damaged, technical inspections confirmed the structure is safe, and sandbag strengthening is underway. As a precaution, nearly 1,000 residents from four surrounding hamlets have been moved to safer locations.
Meanwhile, the Pinjal River has crossed its warning level, while the Surya, Vaitarna, and Deherje rivers remain below warning levels but are being monitored closely.
The heavy rains have also caused extensive property damage, completely destroying two pucca houses, four kutcha houses, and two huts, while partially damaging 73 pucca houses. Reported livestock losses include seven buffaloes, two bulls, and more than 8,000 poultry birds.
While traffic on the Mumbai–Ahmedabad National Highway remains unaffected, Western Railway services between Dadar and Dahanu resumed on Monday night following earlier disruptions caused by waterlogging. High-capacity suction pumps are being installed to clear railway underpasses.
Dr. Jakhar urged citizens to avoid unnecessary travel and stay away from water bodies, including rivers, streams, dams, and waterfalls, until weather conditions improve.
