Pune civic body begins cleaning drive after heavy overnight showers across city

PUNE: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) on Monday morning started removing debris and cleaning the stormwater drains to reduce waterlogging caused by heavy overnight rains. PMC officials said the drive was conducted at locations like Ganeshkhind Road, Sayyad Nagar, Mundwa, and Katraj areas. "We have alerted the residents of localities near the riverbanks. They have been asked to be ready for any possible evacuation if the rainfall and water discharge increase," said Ganesh Sonune, a senior official of PMC's disaster management department. PMC officials said arrangements have been made in the civic schools and other civic properties near the flood-prone localities. The corporation in the second week of August, had evacuated citizens from more than five low-lying areas along the Mutha River after the state irrigation department increased the discharge of water from Khadakwasla Dam to the rate of 39,000 cusecs.Over 100 residents were then shifted from the Yerawada area, while other locations included Khilarewadi, Warje, Nagar Road, and Patil Estate. Teams were deployed in the areas of Yerawada, Shastrinagar, Patil Estate, Pulachiwadi, Warje, and Khilarewadi to help residents move to safer places. The Baba Bhide and Tilak bridges were closed then for traffic, and a road in the Bopodi area near Harris Bridge was also shut after water levels in the Mula River increased. The riverside roads in the Deccan Gymkhana area were submerged, while water entered Omkareshwar Temple located in Narayan Peth. On Monday, the restrictions were imposed in the traffic on Baba Bhinde bridge. But no evacuation was started, as rainfall activity reduced in the afternoon.