Pune, 3rd July 2026: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has approved an expenditure of ₹35 lakh to appoint a private agency for providing early flood warnings to residents living along the Mula-Mutha river. The proposal received approval during the Standing Committee meeting held on Thursday.
Until now, flood alerts for citizens living in vulnerable areas were issued by PMC's Disaster Management Department in coordination with regional ward offices. This monsoon, however, the civic body has decided to involve a private company to strengthen flood preparedness and emergency response.
The decision has triggered discussions over the need to spend public funds on an external agency when PMC already has its own disaster management machinery. Civic officials, however, said the private firm will provide specialised technical support in addition to issuing flood alerts.
Standing Committee Chairman Shrinath Bhimale said the company will not be limited to sending flood warnings but will also handle other technical tasks related to flood management. He said the decision has been taken to improve preparedness and minimise the risk to lives and property during the monsoon season.
Officials believes the new system will help ensure that residents living in flood-prone areas receive timely warnings, allowing them to take precautionary measures before water levels rise.