Pune: PMC Deploys Rapid Response Teams to Tackle Monsoon Emergencies
Pune, 8th June 2025: With the monsoon season approaching, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has set up Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) in all 15 administrative wards to address waterlogging, drainage issues, and other rain-related emergencies swiftly.
Initiated under the orders of Additional Municipal Commissioner B. P. Prithviraj and coordinated by Disaster Management Chief Ganesh Sonune, the initiative brings together officials from the sewerage, roads, engineering, building, and vehicle departments. Each team will operate under the supervision of the respective assistant municipal commissioner.
The RRTs will function in day and night shifts and are equipped with machinery such as jetting vehicles, suction machines, grabbers, and JCBs to handle emergencies efficiently. The pre-monsoon desilting of drains and cleaning operations reportedly 80% complete form a key component of this preventive strategy.
The goal is to ensure quick response during heavy downpours, avoid traffic disruptions, and protect life and property. Unlike in previous years, this time each team includes on-site engineers, enabling faster, on-the-spot decisions for complex problems.
Despite preparedness, officials caution that extreme rainfall or unexpected infrastructure failures may still pose challenges. The RRTs are expected to minimize such risks through rapid intervention and continuous monitoring.
Citizens have been encouraged to report waterlogging or drainage issues using PMC helplines or the official app. The performance of these teams will be evaluated based on their ability to reduce flood incidents, traffic bottlenecks, and rain-related damage compared to last year.
In light of increasingly unpredictable weather patterns, PMC’s proactive formation of dedicated RRTs reflects a significant step toward strengthening Pune’s disaster response capabilities and ensuring the safety and convenience of its residents during the monsoon.
