Heavy Rain Warning: IMD Issues Orange Alert for Mumbai-Pune, Red Alert for Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg
Maharashtra Weather: IMD Issues Orange Alert For Pune
IMD issues red and orange alerts across multiple districts as pre-monsoon rains intensify, with warnings of thunderstorms and strong winds.
Pre-monsoon showers continue to lash Maharashtra, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue red and orange alerts for several districts across the state. A red alert has been sounded in Ratnagiri and Raigad, warning of extremely heavy rainfall, while an orange alert has been issued for Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, Sindhudurg, and the ghat regions of Pune and Satara.
According to the IMD, Mumbai is expected to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall on May 23 and 24, accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds reaching speeds of 50 to 60 kilometres per hour. Raigad is under a red alert for May 23, while Ratnagiri is expected to experience extremely heavy rain on both May 22 and 23. The weather agency has cautioned that some areas may witness gale-force winds and lightning activity, particularly in coastal and ghat regions.
The orange alert also extends to Kolhapur, Nashik, Ahilyanagar, and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, where thunderstorms and heavy rain are likely. The IMD has emphasised that orange alerts are issued when rainfall is expected to exceed 115.6 mm and could reach up to 204.4 mm within 24 hours.
Meanwhile, fishermen have been advised to exercise extreme caution. The IMD has declared a suspension of fishing operations over the east-central and adjoining northeast Arabian Sea for May 25 and 26 due to rough sea conditions. Warnings have also been issued against venturing into the sea off the Somalia coast and adjoining southwest Arabian Sea during the same period. Further restrictions are in place along the Andhra Pradesh coast and west-central Bay of Bengal from May 21 to 26, and over the Andaman Sea on May 26.
The Konkan region, particularly Sindhudurg district, has already witnessed intense pre-monsoon activity over the past three days. A fresh orange alert has been issued there for the next 24 hours amid fears of worsening conditions. The local administration has urged residents to remain alert and avoid unnecessary travel. Farmers, in particular, have been advised to take preventive measures to safeguard their crops and livestock as the threat of stormy weather looms large.
