Alandi flooding: Fadnavis urges Warkaris to skip Dehu, join Wari in Pune
Synopsis
All four bridges into Alandi are underwater and CM Fadnavis has asked Warkaris to abandon their pilgrimage route and divert to Pune — a rare disruption to one of Maharashtra's most sacred annual processions. With IMD red alerts active across multiple districts and winds hitting 90 km/h, this is shaping up as one of the state's most serious monsoon emergencies in recent memory.
Key Takeaways
CM Devendra Fadnavis on Monday, 7 July 2025 urged Warkaris to skip Alandi and Dehu due to severe Indrayani River flooding.
All four bridges into Alandi are completely submerged, making entry unsafe.
Pilgrims already in Pune have been asked to stay within city limits and join the Wari procession there.
IMD has issued red alerts for multiple Maharashtra districts; wind speeds between 70–90 km/h have caused widespread damage.
State helplines activated: 1070 (state-level toll-free), 1077 (district-level toll-free), and mobile 09321587143 .
Automated SMS alerts are being broadcast every three hours to residents in worst-hit zones.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday, 7 July 2025, issued an urgent appeal to Warkaris and pilgrims en route to Alandi and Dehu to halt their journey, after severe flooding in the Indrayani River submerged all four bridges leading into Alandi, making entry into the town unsafe. The Chief Minister urged devotees to instead join the Wari procession in Pune city, where conditions remain manageable.
Why Alandi Is Inaccessible
All four bridges connecting to Alandi are completely submerged due to the swelling of the Indrayani River following heavy rainfall across the region. Authorities have declared entry into the town unsafe, and any attempt to reach the pilgrimage site risks lives. Warkari groups that have already reached Pune have been specifically asked to remain within the city limits and not proceed further.
What the Chief Minister Said
'Warkaris and citizens must strictly follow instructions from the administration, police and disaster management teams,' CM Fadnavis said. He urged the public not to venture near riverbeds, ghats, or closed bridges, and cautioned against spreading or believing rumours. 'We are dealing with an intense and evolving natural emergency. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and local civic bodies are deployed in full capacity. Our absolute priority right now is preventing loss of life and executing rescue operations,' he added.
State-Wide Alert and Emergency Measures
CM Fadnavis informed the state Assembly that the entire government machinery has been placed on the highest level of alert. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued red alerts for multiple districts, with gusty winds ranging between 70 and 90 km/h already causing widespread tree collapses and structural damage across Maharashtra. In an unprecedented step, the state's automated systems are broadcasting emergency SMS alerts every three hours to residents in the worst-affected zones.
Helpline Numbers Activated
24-hour control rooms have been activated across the state. Citizens can reach authorities through the following contacts: State-Level Main Control Room (Toll-Free): 1070; Mobile: 09321587143; Landlines: 022-22027990 / 022-22794229; and District-Level Control Rooms (Toll-Free): 1077, activated across all districts. The Chief Minister urged residents to rely only on official sources for information and to contact these numbers immediately during any emergency.
Landslide-Prone Areas on Watch
Fadnavis directed the administration to take special precautions for citizens residing in landslide-prone and sensitive areas. He appealed to the public not to panic and to promptly seek help from the administrative machinery. This comes amid a broader pattern of monsoon-related emergencies that have repeatedly strained Maharashtra's disaster response infrastructure in recent years.
Point of View
But the real question is reach: how many Warkaris, many of them elderly and without smartphones, actually receive official advisories in time. The three-hourly SMS system is a notable innovation, but Maharashtra's flood response has historically struggled with last-mile communication in rural and semi-urban corridors. With red alerts active across multiple districts simultaneously, resource allocation between the Wari corridor and other flood-hit zones will be the administration's sharpest challenge in the hours ahead.
NationPress
6 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why have Alandi and Dehu been declared unsafe for Warkaris?
Severe flooding in the Indrayani River has submerged all four bridges leading into Alandi, making entry into the town dangerous. CM Fadnavis has urged pilgrims to halt their journey and divert to Pune city instead.
Where should Warkaris go instead of Alandi?
CM Fadnavis has advised Warkari groups to join the Wari procession in Pune city. Those who have already reached Pune have been specifically asked to remain within city limits and not proceed toward Alandi or Dehu.
What emergency helpline numbers has the Maharashtra government activated?
The state has activated a toll-free state-level control room at 1070, a mobile number at 09321587143, landlines at 022-22027990 and 022-22794229, and district-level toll-free control rooms at 1077 across all districts.
What is the current weather alert status in Maharashtra?
The India Meteorological Department has issued red alerts for multiple Maharashtra districts. Wind speeds of 70 to 90 km/h have already caused widespread tree collapses and structural damage across the state.
What steps has the Maharashtra government taken to manage the flood emergency?
The state has deployed NDRF and SDRF teams at full capacity, activated 24-hour control rooms, and launched an automated system that sends emergency SMS alerts every three hours to residents in the worst-affected areas. CM Fadnavis has also directed special precautions for landslide-prone zones.
