Can PMC avoid flood-like situation this year?

PUNE: Residents of Bavdhan and Baner, who were the worst affected by monsoon last year, have asked the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) if it is ready to handle flooding this year.
They told the civic authorities to have a serious look at the issues of illegal constructions and dumping activities in the Ramnadi river which resulted in water gushing into their homes last monsoon.
With about three months for the rains to arrive, the locals want the civic body to step up vigilance and stop illegal dumping which reduces natural flow of Ramnadi and nullahs that drain into the river.
A M Gokhale, an elderly, who witnessed the rain fury last year, said, "Water came gushing into the lane where my bungalow is located. There was knee-deep water inside most houses, except mine and a few others who were spared because the water stopped a little further ahead. If there is a more severe spell of rain as compared with last year, we will face the same situation."
They have issued a written complaint to the PMC to take at least some corrective measures to reduce the severity of the problem.
Another local, who has been actively working on the problem for the last few years, told TOI that originally there were nine streams in between Chandni chowk and Pashan, which met with Ramnadi. "There were small bridges on these streams. But now, everything has been built upon and not a single stream remains. As a result, there is no way for the water to go and it just flows in any direction. Similarly, you will see construction debris being dumped at several spots in the Ramnadi. This raises the level of water flowing through it during the monsoon. There is a great fear that the compound walls of adjoining societies could break if there is a heavy spell of rain," the resident said, on the condition of anonymity.
Municipal commissioner Mahesh Zagade said that dumping is not acceptable not just in the Ramnadi but in any water body. "We are continuously monitoring the areas. Whenever it comes to our notice that dumping is being done, the local ward office immediately initiates action. We are hopeful that flood-like incidents do not recur in these areas this year," Zagade said.
About illegal constructions along Ramnadi, additional city engineer Vivek Kharwadkar said that interventions are being made, but considering the scale of the situation, change won't occur in a short period of time. "Actions against encroachments is an ongoing process," he said.