72 Villages In Pune District Identified As Landslide Risk Areas; Urgent Measures Suggested
Pune, 28th October 2023: A recent survey conducted by the Geological Survey of India (GSI) has raised concerns regarding the vulnerability of 72 villages in Pune district to potential landslides. The escalation from the initial count of 23 hazardous villages following the Malin landslide in Ambegaon taluka in 2014 has prompted immediate attention to the region’s safety.
Of the identified at-risk villages, two will undergo immediate rehabilitation, while the remaining 70 villages have been strongly advised to adopt protective measures to avert potential disasters.
Under the directives of the district disaster management department, the Public Works Department (PWD) has been tasked with preparing a comprehensive report on landslide prevention measures, expected to be completed by October 30. Once submitted to the district administration, the report is scheduled for forwarding to the state government in the first week of November.
The GSI’s updated survey has indicated that the 72 vulnerable villages span across seven talukas, including 23 at-risk in Ambegaon taluka. Specifically, the breakdown includes 15 in Maval, 10 in Velhe, eight in Mulshi, six in Khed, five each in Junnar and Bhor talukas. Among the villages surveyed in 2020, 20 out of the 23 high-risk villages have been listed, encompassing areas such as Ghutke in Mulshi taluka and Dhanwali in Bhor taluka.
The suggested preventive measures for the 70 vulnerable villages encompass various strategies, including constructing protective walls, mitigating water flow, afforestation, and devising temporary evacuation alternatives. Vitthal Banote, the district disaster management officer, highlighted the proactive stance taken by the Public Works Department, which has already proposed preventive works in 35 villages, having completed several measures in the previously identified 23 at-risk villages.
Additionally, the report delineates the high-risk villages in each taluka, highlighting specific areas such as Kalewadi, Ambwane, Ghutke, Naiphad, Dhanwali, and more, underscoring the urgent need for measures to avert potential disasters in these regions.
