Pune Flooding Crisis: 29 New Waterlogging Spots Identified as Monsoon Rains Hit City Early, Metro and Road Works Blamed

Pune, 27th May 2025: With the onset of monsoon rains in Pune, city authorities are grappling with a renewed waterlogging crisis as 29 new sites of severe flooding have been identified, adding to the 201 locations already marked as prone to water stagnation. Heavy rainfall over the past week has led to roads resembling rivers, causing significant distress to commuters and residents alike, especially in areas where ongoing development works, such as Metro construction and cement-concrete road projects, have obstructed natural water drainage.

Last year’s monsoon had already wreaked havoc, with streets turning into waterways and homes being inundated, particularly in Sinhagad Road and Dhanori areas. Learning from this, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) Administration had planned pre-monsoon works and set a target to complete them by 31st May. However, administrative delays and contractor negligence have left many projects unfinished. The early arrival of monsoon rains has only compounded the problem, leaving citizens to endure the consequences of incomplete drainage solutions.

PMC had compiled a list of 201 waterlogging spots and begun remedial measures, claiming that work had been completed at 117 locations before the rains. Work is ongoing at 84 sites, with another 38 slated for completion soon. Despite these efforts, this year’s first heavy rains have revealed 29 new trouble spots, primarily in Zone 2, including areas like Aundh, Baner, Shivajinagar, and Kothrud. These new sites, combined with the existing list, present a growing challenge for municipal authorities who must now expand their mitigation strategies.

According to Additional Commissioner Prithviraj B.P., the Disaster Management Department has been actively monitoring and addressing waterlogging, but the sheer number of new and old sites demands urgent and comprehensive action. The situation has been further complicated by the slow pace of work and the impact of large-scale infrastructure projects, which have altered drainage patterns and left little room for rainwater to escape.

With the monsoon only just beginning and several critical projects still incomplete, Pune residents face the prospect of another season of flooded streets and disrupted daily life unless swift and effective measures are taken to address both old and newly identified waterlogging hotspots.