Pune Set for Heavy Rainfall as IMD Issues Orange Alert for Ghats

June 29, 2024

Pune city is on alert for a rainy weekend, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing an orange alert from June 29 to July 2. Residents should prepare for heavy to very heavy rainfall, particularly in the ghat areas. The IMD forecasts indicate that the weakening cyclonic circulation in the Arabian Sea, which had previously disrupted the monsoon, will abate by tomorrow, paving the way for intense monsoon activity.

The strengthening monsoon winds are expected to bring widespread rainfall across Maharashtra, including the ghats, Konkan region, and Pune catchment areas, from June 29 to July 8.

Maharashtra is set to receive a significant boost in rainfall, with experts forecasting a wet spell starting today. The IMD has issued an orange alert for Konkan and Madhya Maharashtra until July 3, signaling potential heavy rainfall. This includes the ghats of Pune, raising hopes for increased water levels in dam catchment areas that have seen below-average precipitation so far this season.

The head of the weather forecasting division at IMD-Pune stated, “We have given a heavy to very heavy rainfall forecast for the next 5 days. Ghats of Pune, Satara, and Kolhapur have an orange alert. This is because of a very active offshore trough across the Maharashtra-Kerala coast and a low-pressure area over the northern part of the Bay of Bengal.”

The orange alert for the Pune ghats is expected to result in increased water levels in the dam catchment areas. Khole noted, “It is usually observed that when the ghat areas get good rain, the catchments also get similar spells. We expect heavy to very heavy rain in the ghat areas of western Maharashtra over the next five days. The current spell is one of the strongest so far in June. The previous spells were mostly localized over some city areas.”

For Pune city residents, there is a possibility of light to moderate rainfall. Independent weather forecasters have noted that the shift in weather patterns comes as a cyclonic circulation in the Arabian Sea weakens, allowing monsoon winds to strengthen and bring substantial rainfall across Maharashtra.

Citizens are advised to stay vigilant and prioritize safety during this period of heavy rainfall. The PMC has urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel to the ghat areas and to be prepared for potential disruptions caused by the weather.

As the monsoon winds strengthen, Pune and its surrounding regions are set for a much-needed rainfall boost, promising relief from the dry spells experienced so far this season.