Floodlike situation in Pune, 260 families shifted

Pune, Sept 4: Due to heavy rains in the city over the past few days, Mutha river is flowing at a dangerous level and people living along the river are being evacuated to a safer place.

An alert has also been issued to the citizens living along the Mutha and Mula rivers here and police force has been deployed near the rivers to avoid untoward incidents.

Officials of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) had to rope in police, fire brigade and the Nuisance Detection Squad (NDS) of the PMC to forcibly evacuate the unrelenting people.

PMC Deputy Commissioner Praveen Ashtikar said, "We received a warning from the Irrigation Department at 8.30 am about the rising water level. Accordingly, we had to shift citizens from various localities including Warje, Juna Bazaar, Vitthalwadi and Patil Estate."

"We have shifted at least 260 families to schools in the suburban areas," he added.

Karvenagar-Warje ward officer Yunus Pathan said, "Water surged into various lanes in Tapodham Society and Barate chawl area. We have shifted at least 80 families to a local school.

We had to rope in the NDS, firemen and police to evacuate the area. We have also been alerting people through loudspeaker announcements." PTI CORR