Pune: Relocation proposals for many landslide-prone villages identified in Pune district are pending with the state govt.The district administration in June placed 72 villages across 15 talukas on high alert based on Geological Survey of India (GSI)’s 2023 landslide susceptibility assessment and directed officials to keep evacuation plans ready since a heavy monsoon can trigger landslides.They are spread across Maval (15), Velhe (10), Mulshi (8), Khed (6), Junnar (5), Bhor (5) and other talukas. Many are on unstable hill slopes or near riverbanks.Officials said relocation proposals for all the identified villages are ready but administrative approval has been granted for 44 villages and those for the remaining 28 villages pending.Senior district officials said that the approved villages are in different stages of rehabilitation process. “The exercise involves land acquisition, identification of suitable relocation sites, funding approvals and rehabilitation packages. Until approvals are received, only temporary evacuation can be undertaken during emergencies,” an official added.The administration has instructed tehsildars to identify families at immediate risk, prepare evacuation plans, conduct mock drills and earmark temporary shelters.The district administration has also directed round-the-clock monitoring in vulnerable talukas, installation of warning signs and barricading of flood-prone roads. Volunteer groups, including Aapla Mitra teams, have been mobilised to assist with emergency response.On Monday, three members of the Tikone family were killed after a landslide around 4am buried their house in Patan village in Maval taluka, about 60km from Pune, at the foothills of Visapur Fort on Monday.The deceased were Nandu Tikone (60), his wife Anita (55) and their son Dnyaneshwar (30). His pregnant wife was away for delivery, villagers said. “We heard a loud sound and when we came out, the house had disappeared,” a resident added.Teams from National Disaster Response Force, Pune district disaster response force, Pune Rural police and the local administration arrived around 6am.The NDRF team was led by assistant commandant Chandraketu Sharma and inspector Ravinder. Rescue teams evacuated 23 residents from four neighbouring houses. Pankaj Tikone and his 15-member family, who lives next to the deceased, was lucky to escape.
