Pune, 25 February 2026: Anticipating heavy rains in the upcoming monsoon, Pune Mayor Manjusha Nagpure has directed the civic administration to prepare a ward-level disaster management plan and ensure its strict implementation on the ground.
Chairing a review meeting on pre-monsoon preparedness, she stressed that planning should not remain on paper and that citizens’ complaints must be addressed swiftly.
The meeting was attended by Standing Committee Chairman Shrinath Bhimale, Opposition Leader Adv. Nilesh Nikam, Municipal Commissioner Nawal Kishore Ram, Additional Commissioners Prithviraj B.P., Pavneet Kaur, Omprakash Divte and Deputy Commissioner Madhav Jagtap.
Despite annual claims of preparedness, several areas in Pune continue to witness waterlogging during heavy rainfall. The mayor instructed officials to prepare a realistic and updated list of flood-prone and chronic waterlogging spots instead of relying on outdated records.
She reviewed the works undertaken by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) at such locations and directed that projects funded under the National Disaster Management Fund be completed within deadlines.
With intense rainfall events increasing in recent years, many roads in Pune have faced severe flooding, disrupting traffic and affecting daily life. The mayor emphasised that the administration must be fully prepared to handle high-intensity rainfall.
She instructed officials to deploy Quick Response Teams (QRTs) for water drainage and emergency assistance, increase manpower where necessary, and provide additional staff in newly merged villages vulnerable to flooding. She also suggested that PMC employees receive training from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).
To strengthen coordination, the mayor called for an urgent joint meeting involving PMC, the Water Resources Department, Public Works Department, MahaMetro, Mahavitaran, PMRDA, National Highways Authority of India and the Cantonment Board to ensure seamless action during emergencies.
She further directed the administration to install CCTV cameras in flood-prone areas, arrange emergency shelter centres, and carry out micro-level planning based on geographical conditions so that help reaches citizens quickly.
Opposition Leader Nilesh Nikam suggested preventive measures to reduce flood risk. He said, “Large volumes of water flow from the city’s hills into drains during heavy rainfall. If trenches are dug along the hills, rainwater can be absorbed into the ground instead of rushing into the drainage system. This will reduce flood risk and help recharge groundwater levels. The administration should take up such work.”
The mayor reiterated that with the monsoon only a few months away, Pune must be better prepared this year to prevent flood-like situations and ensure rapid emergency response across all wards.
