Heavy rainfall accompanied by strong winds battered Sattari taluka on Saturday afternoon, causing widespread destruction in several villages.
Large trees uprooted and fell on houses, electricity lines and roads, resulting in significant property damage, disruption of power supply and blockage of major roads.
The worst-affected areas included Brahmakarmali, Khadki, Bhedshiwada-Bhuipal, Dabem, Hedode, Padeli, Dhamshe, Mhavshi, Koparde and several surrounding villages. Many houses suffered damage to roofs and sheds, while household belongings, electricity connections and public infrastructure were also affected.
On receiving information about the incidents, the Valpoi Fire and Emergency Services launched rescue operations on a war footing. Fire personnel worked throughout the day and late into the night, clearing fallen trees from roads, restoring traffic and removing trees that had collapsed onto houses, thereby saving substantial property from further damage.
KHADKI: A large jungle tree fell on the house of Budho Harijan at Shivaji Nagar, Khadki, damaging the roof and household belongings were also damaged.
HONDA: At Bhedshiwada-Bhuipal in the Honda Panchayat area, a large mango tree fell onto the house of Dhondu Tate, causing damage to the structure and household belongings.
MAUXI: At Dabem village under Mauxi Panchayat, jackfruit and mango trees collapsed on the house of Sangeeta Gawas, damaging the roof and causing losses. The incident also damaged nearby electricity lines.
KOPARDE: At Dhamshe, a large dry tree fell on electricity lines near the Sateri Temple, snapping power cables and damaging electric poles, leading to disruption of electricity supply in the area.
At Hedode Junction, Koparde-Dhangarwadi, an acacia tree crashed onto power lines, breaking three electricity poles and causing substantial damage to the Electricity Department's infrastructure.
According to Assistant Engineer Arvind Gawde, emergency repair work was immediately undertaken. Damaged poles were replaced, broken conductors were repaired and power supply was successfully restored within four hours.
Several roads across Sattari remained blocked for hours after trees collapsed due to the cyclonic winds.
Fire and Emergency Services cleared fallen trees at several locations, which included the road near the temple at Brahmakarmali, near Raghoba Bar at Gaonkarwada-Padeli, near Saniya Bar at Mauxi, at Dabem, Bhuipal, Redighat (Valpoi–Honda Road), Kumbharkhand-Bhuipal, Ambede-Ravan Colony and Pali.
By evening, all major roads had been reopened for traffic.
The Valpoi Fire and Emergency Services handled several calls throughout the day, including incidents at Brahmakarmali, Khadki, Bhedshiwada-Bhuipal, Dabem, Hedode Junction, Padeli, Dhamshe and Mhavshi.
Rescue operations were led by Station Officer Dnyaneshwar Gawas, N Kadam, Krishna C Naik and their respective teams, whose timely response helped minimise losses and restore normalcy.
Following the incidents, Poriem MLA Deviya Rane reviewed the situation by contacting officials, panchayat members and affected residents.
She directed authorities to conduct damage assessments and assured that financial assistance, along with support for house repairs wherever required, would be provided to the affected families.
Similarly, Health Minister Vishwajit Rane assured residents of Valpoi constituency that all affected families would receive necessary financial assistance from the government and that damaged houses would be repaired wherever required.
Meanwhile, heavy rainfall continues over the Western Ghats, raising concerns over rising river and stream water levels. The administration has advised residents to remain alert and avoid unnecessary travel until weather conditions improve.
