Pune: A significant landslide occurred early Tuesday (August 13) morning in the Kadve Ghat area on the Panshet-Velhe road, cutting off a crucial link between the Velhe and Torna regions.

The incident, which took place around 6:30 AM, led to the closure of the road for several hours, disrupting traffic until the afternoon.

Local resident Sameer Jadhav, who was passing through the area on his motorcycle, narrowly escaped being caught in the landslide, as did a milk delivery tempo following him.

The landslide occurred in phases, preventing any casualties. Within 10 to 15 minutes, a significant portion of the hill collapsed, completely blocking the road. The landslide was caused by the widening work of the ghat road, which destabilized the mountain cliffs. The collapsed debris has made the road in this area dangerous.

Although there is no rain at present, the heavy rains of the past month have made the hill slopes fragile, leading to the landslide, according to Prakash Gade, a branch engineer from the Public Works Department. Local residents, including Kadve Gram Panchayat members Mohil Telavde and Vinod Biramne, rushed to the site.

For safety, traffic on both sides of the ghat has been halted. Under the supervision of branch engineers Saiprasad Mungilwar and Prakash Gade, a JCB machine began clearing the debris in the morning. The work continued for about four to five hours.

Due to the steep incline and the presence of large rocks, soil, and debris, the clearance work faced significant challenges. Finally, after the afternoon, the debris was cleared, and the road was reopened for traffic.

Landslides continue to pose a threat in Kadve Ghat, Pabe Ghat, and the roads surrounding the Panshet Dam area during the monsoon season. The risk of accidents remains high.

According to Amol Padwal, Sarpanch of Shirkoli (Tal. Rajgad), the issue of landslides in Kadve Ghat has persisted for many years. Pranav Kshetra, Taluk President of Rajgad Congress, has suggested that the unstable cliffs should be protected.