Pune, 8th July 2026: After facing criticism over its response during the recent spell of heavy rainfall, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) intensified its disaster management efforts on Wednesday as water levels in the Mutha River rose following a sharp increase in discharge from Khadakwasla Dam.
Emergency teams were deployed in vulnerable areas, residents were alerted well in advance, and evacuation measures were carried out wherever required.
The Khadakwasla Dam reached full capacity after continuous rainfall in its catchment area. Water release, which stood at 800 cusecs around midnight, was gradually increased to 27,203 cusecs at 5.30 am. Following the alert from the irrigation department, PMC immediately warned residents living along the riverbanks and activated flood-response measures.
Water entered parts of Dwarka and Jalpujan housing societies as the river level increased. Civic officials used public announcement systems to ask residents to move their vehicles and valuables to safer locations. Emergency teams were stationed in flood-prone areas including Sinhagad Road, Rajput Slum and nearby localities.
Mayor Manjusha Nagpure visited Ektanagar, Vitthalnagar and Shivajinagar early in the morning to assess the situation. She interacted with residents and directed officials to take immediate preventive measures.
She appealed to people living near the river and in low-lying areas to remain alert, follow official advisories and cooperate with authorities if evacuation becomes necessary.
Additional Municipal Commissioner Prajit Nair, Disaster Management Officer Ganesh Sonune and other senior officials monitored the situation throughout the day.
The 24x7 Disaster Management Control Room remained operational to coordinate rescue and relief work.
PMC maintained continuous coordination with IMD, C-DAC, the Irrigation Department, district administration and traffic police for weather and dam discharge updates.
Police wireless operators, fire brigade personnel, drainage teams and road department staff were deployed at the central control room.
Assistant Municipal Commissioners and engineers led disaster response operations at the zonal level as Incident Commanders.
Fallen trees and branches were cleared immediately after rain-related incidents.
Blocked stormwater drains were cleaned at 16 waterlogging spots where debris and plastic waste had obstructed water flow.
Dewatering pumps were deployed in housing societies and flooded areas to remove accumulated rainwater.
Dangerous trees were identified and pruned to prevent accidents.
PMC identified flood-prone locations in advance and activated 49 temporary relief centres across the city.
As a precaution, 1,560 residents from 492 families were shifted to safer locations before the situation worsened.
Emergency teams remained stationed in vulnerable localities to assist residents and monitor rising water levels.
PMC deployed a large workforce and machinery to handle the flood situation, including:
Personnel: 12 Chief Health Inspectors, 50 Sanitation Inspectors, 70 Sanitation Supervisors, 4,000 sanitation workers and 50 fogging staff.
Machinery: 20 JCBs, 35 jetting machines, 10 DP units, five BRC vehicles, two Hyva trucks, 100 garbage collection vehicles, 294 utility vehicles, 131 compactors, 77 diesel pumps, seven generators and 24 water tankers.
The civic administration said all departments remain on high alert and will continue monitoring the situation as rainfall and dam discharge are expected to fluctuate depending on weather conditions.
