Pune's Flood Crisis: A Wake-Up Call For Sustainable Development, 170 Flood Prone Areas Identified
Share This News
Pune, a city nestled in the lap of hills and streams, is facing a growing threat of flooding. The recent deluge has exposed the dark underbelly of urbanization, revealing a stark reality: human activities are wreaking havoc on the city’s natural landscape.
According to an urban expert Pune has over 170 flood-prone areas, courtesy of concreting, closed streams, and poor stormwater drainage. “We’re playing with nature, and nature is fighting back,” he warns.
Experts point to the construction of Metro pillars and piers on the riverbed, floodline violations, and the blocking of streams due to encroachment as major contributors to the flood crisis. The riverfront development project at Bund Garden has also altered the river’s topography, leading to increased water levels.
But there’s hope. Another environment expert suggests that opening choked groundwater springs can manage 30-40% of water runoff. Former secretary of the water resources department, advocates for measuring run-off downstream of the dam to mitigate flooding.
IMG-20250324-WA0012
As Pune grapples with the aftermath of the floods, it’s clear that sustainable development is no longer a choice, but a necessity. Will the city heed the warning and adopt a more eco-friendly approach to growth, or will it continue down the path of destruction? The choice is ours.
