A recent survey conducted by the Geological Survey of India (GSI) has shed light on the vulnerability of 72 villages in Pune district to potential landslides. This significant escalation from the initial count of 23 hazardous villages, which followed the tragic Malin landslide in Ambegaon taluka in 2014, has prompted immediate attention to safeguard the region from potential disasters.
Of the 72 at-risk villages identified, two will undergo immediate rehabilitation, while the remaining 70 villages have been strongly urged to adopt protective measures aimed at averting potential landslides.
Under the directives of the district disaster management department, the Public Works Department (PWD) has been entrusted with the task of preparing a comprehensive report on landslide prevention measures. This report is expected to be completed by October 30 and will subsequently be submitted to the district administration for forwarding to the state government in the first week of November.
The GSI’s updated survey has revealed that these 72 vulnerable villages are distributed across seven talukas, with 23 at-risk villages in Ambegaon taluka alone. The breakdown includes 15 villages in Maval, 10 in Velhe, eight in Mulshi, six in Khed, and five each in Junnar and Bhor talukas. Notably, out of the 23 high-risk villages initially surveyed in 2020, 20 of them have been listed, encompassing areas like Ghutke in Mulshi taluka and Dhanwali in Bhor taluka.
The proposed preventive measures for the 70 vulnerable villages encompass a range of strategies, including the construction of protective walls, measures to mitigate water flow, afforestation efforts, and the development of temporary evacuation alternatives. Vitthal Banote, the district disaster management officer, emphasized the proactive approach taken by the Public Works Department, which has already suggested preventive measures in 35 villages and has completed several protective initiatives in the previously identified 23 at-risk villages.
The report also highlights the high-risk villages in each taluka, emphasizing specific areas such as Kalewadi, Ambwane, Ghutke, Naiphad, Dhanwali, and more, underscoring the urgent need for protective measures to avert potential disasters in these regions.
