Traffic on Satara highway hit for a while, cops on caution

PUNE: Vehicular movement on the Pune-Satara stretch of National Highway 4 (NH-4) was stopped for 10 minutes on Tuesday morning after the water-level of the Nira river in Bhor increased following discharge from the Bhatghar dam.
The administration, however, resumed traffic after assessing the situation. Similarly, vehicular movement on the Bhor-Mahad road was restricted because of heavy discharge of the dam water.
Highway Safety Patrol (HSP) superintendent of police Milind Mohite said the vehicles were stopped for a few minutes and it was restored after assessing the situation. "Vehicular movement is not possible on the NH-4 passing through Kolhapur, as the river waters are flowing over the bridge," he said.
"We have halted both light and heavy vehicles in Karad. We will allow them to move ahead only after the water level decreases," Mohite said, adding that people should avoid travelling towards Kolhapur because of the heavy rain and the water flowing over the bridge.
The officer said the highway police were alert and monitoring level of water at various bridges over the rivers, especially those between Pune and Kolhapur. The police were also in touch with the revenue authorities to ascertain the situation on various bridges on different highways.
Mohite said the condition of the Pune-Mumbai expressway was normal and there was no report of any traffic snarl or waterlogging.
All roads in and around Kolhapur, including national NH4 connecting Mumbai and Bengaluru via Pune, are under water and shut for traffic. The national highway has never been closed for traffic before this.