Palghar officials trash dam breach rumours, urge citizens not to panic

Palghar, Jul 25 (PTI) The administration in Maharashtra’s Palghar district on Saturday appealed to citizens not to believe or circulate rumours claiming that a dam in the area or neighbouring Valsad district of Gujarat has breached, officials said.

They said all the dams in the region are completely safe.

“Rumours are making the rounds that a dam has breached in the Valsad district of Gujarat as well as in Palghar. No dam has breached. I appeal to all citizens of Palghar district not to believe or spread such baseless rumours,” Collector Indu Rani Jakhar said in a video address.

The public message comes in the wake of heavy rains and severe flooding across the coastal district over the past few days.

The district administration assured that all

reservoirs and dam structures are being monitored by the authorities, and urged residents to rely solely on official communications for updates.

Meanwhile, Palghar Guardian Minister Ganesh Naik said that there is a need to raise awareness of asset insurance among the business community to cushion against natural disasters.

He said Palghar has recorded the longest duration under a “red alert” in Maharashtra in the current monsoon season, causing severe disruption and damaging homes and businesses across the district.

Addressing a press conference in Dahanu, one of the worst-affected areas in the recent floods, Naik said that the intensity and frequency of natural calamities are steadily increasing due to global climate shifts.

“The record rainfall over the past few days has disrupted normal life in Palghar and neighbouring Thane district. In many residential pockets of Thane city and rural areas, homes remain inundated, causing immense financial losses to households and traders alike,” Naik said.

Naik, who is also the state’s forest minister, called for a joint initiative involving representatives, trade associations, and government machinery to promote asset insurance. PTI COR NR