Continuous rainfall and heavy dam discharge have led to rising water levels in the Mula and Mutha rivers, prompting the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) to relocate over 200 citizens from low-lying areas to safer shelters, while issuing precautionary alerts across vulnerable riverbank settlements.
According to official data released by the civic body on Wednesday morning, families from Khilare Vasti, Tophkhana, Yerawada, and Nagar Road were evacuated late Tuesday night. In total, 50 families comprising 193 people were shifted to temporary shelters, including municipal schools and community halls, where arrangements for food, water, and sleeping facilities have been made under the disaster management plan.
The Yerawada-Kalas regional office reported the largest evacuation, with 27 families (118 people) moved from flood-prone pockets of Yerawada. In addition, 30 residents from Tophkhana, 25 from Khilare Vasti, and 25 from Nagar Road were also relocated to safer accommodation.
Roads and Bridges Closed
Flooding and rising water levels have forced PMC to temporarily shut key routes. The Shivane–Nanded City road under Warje-Karvenagar, the Mith Bridge under Kasba-Vishrambaug, and the Nadi Kantha stretch from Rajput Zopadpatti to PMC headquarters have all been closed due to inundation. Civic officials have appealed to commuters to avoid riverbank roads and use alternative routes until the water recedes.
Rainfall and Dam Discharge
The rainfall recorded across PMC limits over the 24 hours ending at 8 am on August 20 highlighted the severity of the downpour. Khadakwasla recorded 88.2 mm, while Shivajinagar, Sinhagad Road, and Bibvewadi each received over 60 mm. Other areas, including Aundh-Baner, Kondhwa-Yeolewadi, Hadapsar-Mundhwa, and Bhavani Peth, also registered rainfall between 50–70 mm. The civic administration said these heavy showers, coupled with continuous dam discharges, are responsible for the surge in river levels.
As of Wednesday morning, the Irrigation Department confirmed increased outflow from Khadakwasla and Pavana dams, with warnings that if rainfall continues in the ghat areas, discharge levels may rise further.
The Hadapsar-Mundhwa regional office deployed vehicles with loudspeakers in Mundhwa, Keshavnagar, and Manjari, warning riverside residents to remain alert and prioritise safety. Assistant Commissioner Deepak Raut of Warje-Karvenagar inspected vulnerable riverbank settlements along with officials and directed the immediate relocation of affected families to Choudhary Municipal School, where arrangements for food and stay have been made.
PMC Commissioner and Administrator Naval Kishore Ram has directed all regional offices to remain on round-the-clock alert, coordinate with the Irrigation Department and IMD for updates, and ensure that the public receives timely information on rainfall, dam releases, and flood warnings.
Although the civic administration has managed to keep the situation under control through swift evacuations and timely warnings, officials have expressed concern that persistent rainfall in the catchment areas of Khadakwasla, Panshet, Varasgaon, and Mulshi dams could worsen flooding along the Mula and Mutha rivers in the next 24 hours.
The PMC has appealed to citizens not to enter riverbeds, avoid using closed routes, and cooperate with authorities during evacuation drives.
The PMC commissioner said, “We have shifted citizens from flood-prone areas to safer shelters with all necessary arrangements. Our teams are on the ground monitoring the situation and ready for rescue operations. Citizens should remain alert, follow official advisories, and prioritise their safety.”
There were several housing societies in Pune where waterlogging was reported, especially in the Sinhgad area.
Pandharinath Kale, a resident of Sinhgad Road, said, “Last year also the locals suffered great loss due to waterlogging in Ektanagar. The administration didn`t take any measures this time also.”
