Pune District Gears Up for Monsoon: 900 Disaster Volunteers Trained, Emergency Gear Deployed
Pune, 24th May 2025: With the onset of the monsoon season approaching, the Pune district administration has ramped up its disaster preparedness measures to mitigate potential flood and landslide risks. The District Disaster Management Department has implemented preventive works in vulnerable villages and trained nearly 900 disaster response volunteers.
To date, materials and equipment have been distributed to key government agencies across Pune district. “We have trained 500 general disaster volunteers and 400 forest disaster volunteers to respond to emergencies effectively,” said Vitthal Banote, Head of the District Disaster Management Department.
The Maharashtra government has forecast average rainfall of 862 mm in Pune district from June to September, and 940 mm from June to October. In anticipation, preparatory meetings have been held for Pune city, Pimpri-Chinchwad, and surrounding rural areas.
The district currently has 84 flood-prone and 72 landslide-prone villages. In Bhor taluka, precautionary relocation plans are in place for 40 families from Kondhari and 121 families from Dhanavali, who will be shifted to nearby schools if required during heavy rains.
The Disaster Management Department is in the final stages of completing several key documents, including the District Disaster Management Plan, Taluka and Village-level Disaster Management Plans, and a District Flood Control Plan.
Following the tragic Malin landslide, a survey identified 23 villages as highly landslide-prone. “A total of ₹365.23 lakh has been sanctioned by the state government for protective works in these areas,” said Banote. Protective work has been completed in five villages in Maval taluka—Taje, Lohagad, Boraj, Tung, and Malwadi—as well as in Dhanavali village in Bhor taluka.
Public Works Department officials have assessed that no protective works are necessary in Bhusi (Mulshi taluka) and Ghol (Velhe taluka). Additionally, ₹90 lakh has been allocated for the rehabilitation of five villages in Ambegaon taluka, with implementation underway by the respective tehsildars.
A further ₹1.5 crore has been approved for levelling work in Bendharwadi (Mauje Pokhari) and Kalwadi (Mauje Jambhori).
Emergency response resources have also been bolstered, with 24 inflatable boats, five light towers, 121 life jackets, 90 rescue ropes, 27 searchlights, 10 satellite phones, 300 safety helmets, 33 tents of various sizes, and 13 fire blankets distributed across talukas and municipal agencies, including the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority, municipal councils, home guards, and fire departments.
“Search and rescue teams are now operational at the taluka level. We’ve directed village Talathis and Gram Sevaks to remain vigilant and act promptly during heavy rainfall events,” added Banote.
