Pune Weather Alert: IMD Issues Alert for Severe Rainfall
Weather Update: IMD Issues Red And Orange Alerts For Next 24 Hours As Heavy Rain Batters Maharashtra
Pune Rains: Severe flooding in Pune, triggered by heavy rainfall, has led to the deployment of a dedicated Army relief unit at Ekta Nagar. The team, comprising over 100 personnel, including Infantry troops, an engineer task force from the Bombay Engineers Group (BEG), and medical staff from the Military Hospital in Khadki, is equipped with rescue boats, quadcopters, and essential gear. Their mission is to provide immediate assistance and help restore normalcy during the ongoing heavy rains. Additional units are on standby to support as needed.
In a recent update, Irrigation Department Executive Engineer Shweta Kurhade reported significant water discharge into the Mutha River. “We have released 10,000 cusecs from Varasgaon, 10,500 from Panshet, and 36,000 cusecs from Khadakwasla,” she stated. Current storage levels at various dams are as follows: Temghar is at 100%, Panshet at 93%, Varasgaon at 92%, and Khadakwasla at 76%, all aimed at creating a buffer zone to manage the flood risk.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for Pune, predicting moderate to heavy rainfall. Dr. Medha Khole, head of the IMD’s weather forecasting division, informed Pune Times Mirror that a red alert is in effect for the western Pune district ghat regions adjacent to Konkan, with expectations of extremely heavy rainfall exceeding 200 mm in 24 hours. The plains are expected to receive moderate to heavy showers.
Dr. Khole emphasized that flood risks are closely linked to reservoir discharge levels. “If reservoirs reach full capacity, water must be released into rivers, potentially flooding low-lying areas,” she explained. “The Irrigation Department will decide the discharge volume based on rainfall and dam levels.” Notably, Shivajinagar recorded 28.3 mm of rainfall from 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM on Sunday.
Dam storage levels have seen substantial increases. For instance, Temghar’s storage surged from 48.61% to 100%, Varasgaon’s from 53.40% to 92.82%, and Panshet’s from 68.12% to 93%. Total rainfall from June 1 to July 24 has also risen significantly across various dams: Temghar from 1,704 mm to 2,624 mm, Varasgaon from 988 mm to 1,681 mm, and Panshet from 988 mm to 1,662 mm.
In response to queries about the flood situation, Kurhade confirmed that a red alert is in place. Both district administration and Pune Municipal Corporation teams are on high alert to address flood-related challenges. Khadakwasla has recorded 76 mm of rainfall, highlighting the urgent need for the Army’s swift intervention to provide relief and support flood management efforts in Pune.
