Panshet Dam is a reservoir of water for inhabitants in Pune. An agonizing memories of 12 July 1961 will remain eternally deep in Punekar’s heart. The calamity changed the face of Pune and its cultural heritage. Pune is famous for its tradition of Maharashtrian culture and excellent educational facilities, calamitously force of water breached the soul of it.
Structural failure of the Dam resulted in an
enormous pressure of water and it broke through the walls of the Dam. It’s been
55 years since the disaster occurred, but the memories are still fresh in the
mind of Punekars. Mangesh Kharate has been fighting for the rehabilitation and
has written a book about the struggle of rehabilitation. Mr. Pruthviraj Chavan
(Former Chief Minister, Maharashtra) and Mr. Patangarav Kadam (Former Forest
Minister, Maharashtra) were present for the Book Inauguration Ceremony at
Balgandharv Natya Mandir Pune, where they recalled the memories of the tragedy.
Panshet Dam was
built across the Ambi River in 1950’s for the drinking water supply and irrigation
along with Khadkwasla dam which is comparatively a smaller dam. Storage capacity of the dam is 303,000 m3. Concrete
blocks were used for construction instead of steel. Supply of steel was very short,
hence engineers were forced to use the concrete blocks. The pressure of
accumulated rain water was massive and it managed to displace the blocks. Water
from Panshet Dam caused destruction in Pune. The dam was under construction
when the calamity occurred. Poor planning of Outlets of water during emergency
is one of the reasons behind it.
The burst occurred early in the morning and
the cataclysm took 3 to 4 hrs to cover the distance of 50 km and the ferocious
flood inundated the city. An unexpected thing was that, the radio was not aware
of it. All the bridges in the city were submerged except, Bund Garden Bridge. People started moving towards high hill areas.
Deccan Gymkhana, FC road, JM road, and karve road, Shaniwar Peth, Kasaba Peth,
Somvar Peth, Rasta Peth, Mangalwar Peth and Narayan Peth were under water.
Electric power supply went off. Vijay,
Bhanuvilas, Alka, Hind Vijay and Deccan theatres were submerged. Water wended into the city till 2pm. It took
more time than expected, Rumours about the flood waters were rife in the city.
Consequently robbers took advantage of it and
looted money, jewellery and other important stuff from houses.
Water receded from the low lying areas of the city at night. The
next morning was very hurtful. All the stuff, chairs, fans and tiles were
carried away by flood water and so much mud accumulated. Cataclysmic flood vanished the floors and
disfeatured the city. Activist of Ganesh Mandal played an important role in the
rescue operations. Flood affected families were accommodated in schools, colleges
and wedding halls. It took six months for Punekars to recover. Nearly one lakh
people were migrated in three days. Nobody knows the actual number of people
died. There was a scarcity of the drinking water.
Panshet Dam was completely drained,
hence water from wells was the only source of the drinking water. Government
decided to build temporary residencies at Navi Peth, Swargate, Erandawane and
Parvati. It took two weeks for Army personnel to remove sludge and rubble from
the city. Army built 100 houses for flood affected families, later it was named
as ‘Senadatta Peth.’ Prime Minister Pandit Nehru visited Pune and flood
affected areas. Mr. Yashwantrav Chavan was the Chief Minister of Maharashtra at
that time.
‘Poona Survives Grim Onslaught’ was the headline of The
Indian express.
The Flood had devastated Ghorpade Chatri Temple, Omkareshwar
temple, Shivaji Lake, garden and gymnasium. Pride of Pune, Shaniwarwada fort secured
numerous homes and lives of people. Flood water damaged the west enceinte of the
fort and it took one year to repair. Kesari, Tarun Bharat, Vishal, Sakal,
Sahyadri and many more press were inundated by flood water and caused terminal
damage to Sadhana Publication and Venus publication.
Memories are the face of a time. They pull you deep inside
their provenance, enlighten you and impart stories of existence.
Pune has
totally been transformed since the disaster. Bridges, temples, Peths and
Shaniwarwada have been existed till now after a grim calamity. Strong efforts
have been made for rehabilitation. It’s an internal pain, albeit Punekars
showed tremendous positive energy and managed to develop the city. Evolution of the city since the tragedy
occurred is an admirable example of the indomitable spirit of Punekars.
Memories
:
At that time, I was just 23 years
old, a newly married girl. The morning was very terrible. There was a lot of
hustle and bustle everywhere. We went to the lakdi pool to watch a devastating
face of water. But police didn’t allow us. Continuously level of water was
increasing. We got some warnings early in the morning by Police. It was
shocking for us that radio didn’t broadcast any news related to the Panshet
dam. Water took just 2 hrs to rush into the main areas of Pune. We were
confused because of rumours. First time I saw the monster look of a water. That
night was very fearful. I don’t know when the level of water started falling
but next day the face of Pune had totally been changed. I will never forget
that cruel day in the history of Pune.
-
Kalawati Ambadas Gangane, Narayan Peth
Oh that day
was a black day. I was in a school when the tragedy occurred. School declared holiday. My father picked me
up from the school. I was on my way to home when I saw copious people were
shifting their luggage. I was not aware of the situation but got little idea.
Water did deface the city.
-
Anant Sakharam Lotekar, Shaniwar Peth
My daughter
was 1 and half year old and she was at home. I can’t forget the day. Water
blocked every road. I was in the office. Everyone was panic. I was so scared
and feeling helpless; nevertheless I decided to cover the distance from my
office and home. Water stopped and forced me to rush to the second floor of a
building. I was at Narayan peth, where one unknown person helped me a lot. That
person allowed me to stay at his house. He gave everyone a food and took care
of everyone’s life. He was God for us. I reached at my home by late night. I
can’t express my emotions when I met my daughter.
-
Sushila Kondhbar
I was very
fortunate because I saw one rescue operation where, Police authorities saved a
child. A child was in a big trouble but Police made great efforts. Water level
was slowly increasing. Police warned everyone to leave the area. I was so
surprised because I was thinking about families of Police authorities. Who
would save them? I am really thankful of activists of Ganeshotsav comities.
Young activist were making every possible efforts to rescue each and every
person. Punekars will never forget that day.
I don’t have any idea how many people died, but rumours about figures of
died people were rife in the city. People say God saved us but I think the real
heroes are Police authorities and activists of Ganeshotsav Comities.
-
Ranjit Gaikwad, Shivajinagar
