Pune rains trigger evacuations and shut major city roads
Pune rains force evacuation of over 200 citizens as the Mula and Mutha rivers continue to swell, with roads and bridges shut to avoid risk amid rising water levels. Continuous rainfall coupled with heavy dam discharges has pushed Pune into a state of heightened alert, compelling the civic body to shift hundreds of residents from low-lying areas into safer shelters. Officials confirmed that more than 200 citizens were evacuated on Tuesday night as river levels surged, with warnings that flooding could worsen if the downpour persists in the catchment areas.
According to disaster management authorities, families from vulnerable riverbank settlements in Yerawada, Tophkhana, Khilare Vasti and Nagar Road were relocated after waterlogging threatened their homes. Municipal schools and community halls have been converted into makeshift shelters where arrangements for food, water and bedding are in place. The Yerawada region witnessed the largest evacuation, with over 100 residents shifted overnight.
In addition to the evacuations, key transport routes were temporarily closed due to inundation. Civic engineers reported the closure of Shivane–Nanded City road, the Mith Bridge in the old city, and the Nadi Kantha stretch leading to the civic headquarters. Authorities have urged commuters to avoid riverside roads and use alternate routes until water recedes. Rainfall data for the 24 hours ending on Wednesday morning revealed significant showers across the city, with Khadakwasla recording nearly 90 mm and several urban pockets such as Sinhagad Road, Shivajinagar and Bibvewadi receiving over 60 mm. Officials said the heavy inflow into dams such as Khadakwasla and Pavana forced increased discharges, intensifying river levels across the city. The irrigation department has cautioned that discharge volumes may rise further if rains continue in ghat regions.
Disaster management teams have been deployed to riverbank settlements with loudspeakers, warning residents to remain cautious. Civic inspectors have personally visited vulnerable zones, overseeing relocations and ensuring food and shelter are provided at designated schools. The civic administration has confirmed that all regional offices remain on round-the-clock alert, in coordination with the irrigation department and meteorological agencies. Housing societies in several localities, particularly along Sinhagad Road, also reported waterlogging, reviving memories of last year’s monsoon flooding. Local residents voiced concerns that despite repeated losses in previous years, flood-mitigation measures remained inadequate in certain pockets.
Officials, however, stressed that proactive evacuations and timely alerts have kept the situation under control. They reiterated appeals for citizens to stay away from riverbeds, avoid closed routes, and cooperate with ongoing evacuation and relief operations. While the immediate focus remains on safeguarding lives and preventing property damage, experts have warned that unchecked urbanisation along riverbanks and insufficient drainage networks are aggravating Pune’s vulnerability to extreme rainfall events. With climate change intensifying monsoon patterns, sustainable urban planning and resilient water management have emerged as pressing imperatives for the city’s future.
