Pune Mayor Mandates Urgent Pre-Monsoon Disaster Management Overhaul
In a decisive move to bolster Pune's resilience against the impending monsoon season, Mayor Manjusha Nagpure has issued a series of critical directives to the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) administration. During a high-level review meeting held on Tuesday, the mayor emphasized the immediate need for comprehensive planning and swift action to address the city's escalating vulnerability to flooding and other monsoon-related hazards.
Expediting Pre-Monsoon Infrastructure Works
Mayor Nagpure has called for an urgent convening of all key stakeholders to accelerate pre-monsoon preparations. She stressed that detailed planning must be implemented at both ward and regional levels to ensure no area is overlooked. Specific instructions include the timely cleaning of streams and drains, repairing of culverts, and completion of retaining wall projects. Additionally, the storm-water drainage plan is to be modified as necessary, with drain mapping finalized to enhance efficiency.
Strengthening Disaster Response Framework
To tackle the rising frequency of intense rainfall events, the mayor has mandated a complete overhaul of Pune's disaster management framework. Key measures include:
- Planning and deploying disaster management teams at ward and regional office levels.
- Updating and enhancing Quick Response Teams with additional manpower, especially in newly merged villages.
- Conducting specialized training for ward-level response teams by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) to ensure rapid and effective emergency responses.
- Training citizens in flood-prone areas through the Civil Defence force to foster community preparedness.
- Arranging emergency shelter centers and installing CCTV cameras in high-risk zones for better monitoring.
Ensuring Seamless Inter-Agency Coordination
Recognizing the complexity of urban disaster management, Mayor Nagpure has directed the PMC administration to organize an urgent joint meeting. This meeting will involve multiple agencies, including the water resources department, Public Works Department (PWD), MahaMetro, MSEDCL, PMRDA, National Highways Authority, and the Cantonment board. The goal is to foster seamless coordination and prevent any gaps in preparedness efforts.
Addressing Structural and Environmental Risks
Further directives include conducting surveys of hazardous old houses and buildings, with notices to be issued for necessary actions. Dangerous tree branches are to be removed immediately to mitigate risks during storms. The mayor also emphasized the importance of utilizing funds from the National Disaster Management Fund efficiently to ensure all critical works are completed ahead of the monsoon.
In her statement, Mayor Nagpure highlighted the urgency of the situation, noting that with the monsoon only months away, Pune must be fully prepared to handle potential emergencies. She reiterated that proactive measures and robust training are essential to safeguard the city and its residents from the adverse impacts of severe weather conditions.
