Click here to join Express Pune WhatsApp channel and get a curated list of our stories
© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd
Tags:
Journalism of Courage
In focus
The Pimpri-Chinchwad Municpal Corporation (PCMC) shifted over 1,100 residents from low-lying areas by Wednesday evening as water discharge from the Mulshi dam has been increased with combined outflow from the Pavana and Mulshi dams reaching 50,000 cusecs in the wake of heavy rain in their catchment areas.
Deputy municipal commissioner Sachin Pawar said several crematoriums have been submerged due to the rising level of the Pavana river. But PCMC officials said last rites will not be affected as some crematoriums in the city are away from the river banks. Officials said they will arrange for the last rites as needed.
The civic administration said outflow from the Mulshi dam, which discharges water into the Mula river, has been increased to 35,000 cusecs on Wednesday morning. The Mula river, which flows for 10-15 km within Pimpri-Chinchwad, can cause flooding in the Sangvi area where it meets the Pavana river, according to officials.
The PCMC administration said the discharge from Pavana dam has remained constant at just over 15,000 cusecs since 10 pm Tuesday. “If it rains more, then the discharge might be increased by the irrigation department as the Pavana dam is already full,” an official said.
Municipal commissioner Shekhar Singh told The Indian Express that civic officials are on high alert and camping at various river sites in the city. “The process of shifting residents from slums started last evening and is continuing today. We have appealed to citizens to shift to safer places or the temporary shelters set up by us.”
Heavy rainfall over the past 24 hours led to flooding in several parts of Pimpri-Chinchwad, prompting the PCMC administration to evacuate 1,127 residents from 340 families by Wednesday evening. The evacuees have been shifted to civic-run relief shelters where food, health services, drinking water, and other essential amenities have been arranged, the PCMC commissioner said.
Singh, who personally inspected the flood-affected areas and shelters, stressed that no compromise would be made on the safety and well-being of citizens. “Our priority is to ensure that every affected family has access to shelter, food and medical care. The disaster control cell is functional 24×7, and field teams are continuously monitoring water levels. Timely evacuation and quick response are key to preventing any untoward incident,” he said.
The civic commissioner visited the relief centre at Late Navnath Dagdu Sable School in Bhatnagar, Pimpri, and also interacted with flood-affected families housed at the Ahilyadevi Holkar School in Sangvi. He directed civic officials to carry out immediate cleaning and sanitation drives in low-lying areas once the floodwaters recede.
Field officials, local representatives, and senior civic officers — including additional commissioners Pradip Jambhale Patil, Vijaykumar Khorate, and Trupti Sandbhor — were present at various sites, overseeing evacuation and relief arrangements. Separate medical teams have been deployed at each shelter to conduct health check-ups and provide primary care.
According to PCMC’s disaster management department, five regional offices are currently sheltering displaced families:
* A Ward: 242 people
* B Ward: 380 people
* D Ward: 143 people
* E Ward: 102 people
* H Ward: 260 people
The most vulnerable locations remain low-lying settlements close to riverbeds, including Bhatnagar, Labour Camp, Kiwale, Keshavnagar, Jadhav Ghat, Kalewadi, Panchsheel Nagar (Pimple Nilakh), Ramnagar (Bopkhel), Sanjay Gandhi Nagar, and Laxminagar (Pimple Gurav). Civic teams have been instructed to maintain round-the-clock surveillance in these areas and issue loudspeaker alerts to residents if evacuation becomes necessary.
PCMC has appealed to citizens to remain cautious, drink only boiled or filtered water, and immediately contact the civic helpline (Sarathi: 8888006666), Disaster Control Room (020-67331111 / 020-28331111), or the Fire Brigade (7030908991) in case of emergencies.
