Pune Gears Up for Monsoon 2026: Collector Directs Departments to Complete Pre-Monsoon Work on Priority
Pune, 24th April 2026: The District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) on Friday conducted a pre-monsoon review meeting, where District Collector Jitendra Dudi directed all departments to ensure timely completion of preparedness work and maintain close coordination to tackle potential challenges during the rainy season.
Citing forecasts by the India Meteorological Department regarding below-average rainfall due to the El Niño effect, Dudi instructed the Water Resources Department to plan water supply management accordingly. He emphasised the need for micro-level planning of all pre-monsoon works and their completion before the onset of rains.
Senior officials, including Zilla Parishad Additional CEO Chandrakant Waghmare, Resident Deputy Collector Jyoti Kadam, and District Disaster Management Officer Vitthal Banote, attended the meeting. Representatives from key departments such as Public Works, Irrigation, Agriculture, Health, Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporations, police authorities, Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA), Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL), Regional Transport Office (RTO), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and the India Meteorological Department were also present. Sub-divisional officers, tehsildars, and chief officers from various local bodies participated in the review.
Dudi noted that while water planning has been done to ensure supply until August 15 this year, authorities should also prepare for water availability from February to May 2027, considering the long-term impact of El Niño. He asked departments to replicate last year’s effective coordination in reservoir water discharge management.
He further directed officials to remove encroachments and debris from rivers, canals, and drainage channels to ensure the smooth flow of natural water systems. Regular inspections of dams, canal networks, and related infrastructure were also emphasised.
Departments were instructed to submit compliance reports on actions taken following last year’s inspections by the end of April.
The Public Works Department was asked to identify and take necessary measures at dangerous and highly vulnerable locations, including flood-prone villages, roads, and bridges. Authorities were also directed to inform citizens about alternative routes for roads that may be closed during the monsoon.
Officials were told to ensure that emergency equipment such as bulldozers, water tankers, dumpers, earthmovers, dewatering pumps, generators, tree cutters, floodlights, and RCC cutters are in working condition.
Urban local bodies, including Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporations, municipal councils, and nagar panchayats, were directed to inspect dangerous buildings and relocate residents to safer locations where necessary. All unauthorised hoardings in the district must be removed within a month, the Collector said.
On tourism management, Dudi clarified that tourist destinations will not be closed during the monsoon. However, departments including police, forest, tourism, and archaeology have been asked to regulate visitor flow by introducing slot systems and deploying adequate manpower to ensure safety.
The Health Department was instructed to prepare for emergency situations by ensuring the availability of hospitals, beds, medical officers, ambulances, blood banks, and essential medicines at the taluka level. Preventive measures against communicable diseases and public awareness campaigns were also stressed.
All departments were asked to update disaster management plans from the district to village level and ensure dissemination of information to citizens. Sub-divisional officers have been directed to conduct taluka-level review meetings and issue necessary instructions.
Special attention was drawn to landslide-prone areas in Bhor, Khed, and Ambegaon subdivisions. Officials were asked to plan for evacuation, train disaster response volunteers, ensure availability of equipment, and conduct mock drills.
The Collector emphasised that all emergency mechanisms must remain on high alert during the monsoon, with coordinated efforts to minimise inconvenience to citizens and ensure the availability of essential services.
Officials from various departments also presented updates on their ongoing pre-monsoon preparedness measures during the meeting.
