PMC Prepares for Evacuation as Flood Risk Rises

The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has issued a precautionary alert for residents in flood-prone zones. The civic body is preparing to evacuate up to 5,000 individuals from low-lying areas, including Ekta Nagari on Sinhagad Road, Khilare Vasti at Karve Nagar, and Pulachiwadi at Deccan, should conditions worsen.

Over the past 24 hours, intense rainfall has caused significant waterlogging, prompting the PMC to take preemptive measures to ensure public safety. While water has entered some properties, the situation has not yet reached a critical level that necessitates immediate evacuations. According to the head of PMC’s disaster management department, the situation remains under control, but the authorities are on high alert.

The decision to prepare for evacuations comes as the irrigation department reports substantial water discharge from the Khadakwasla dam. On Saturday night, water was released at a rate of 35,310 cubic feet per second (cusecs), which was subsequently reduced to 26,345 cusecs by Sunday afternoon. However, the discharge rate was increased to 31,350 cusecs later in the evening. The average rainfall in the catchment areas of the four dams—Temghar, Varasgaon, Panshet, and Khadakwasla—exceeded 100 millimetres, contributing to the heightened flood risk.

To manage the potential evacuations, the PMC has already mobilised the necessary manpower and equipment. The response plan includes the deployment of emergency services and the establishment of temporary shelters to accommodate displaced residents if required. The PMC is closely monitoring the situation and working in coordination with other departments to mitigate the impact of the flooding and ensure a swift response should the need for evacuation arise.