Historic Downpour: Shivajinagar Records Third-Highest Rainfall In 66 Years Amidst Pune Deluge
Historic Downpour: Shivajinagar Records Third-Highest Rainfall In 66 Years Amidst Pune Deluge
Samata Kukade
In the past 48 hours leading up to Thursday, rainfall activity has significantly intensified in Pune city, leading to widespread waterlogging in several areas. The ghat regions experienced extreme rainfall, with some areas recording over 200 mm, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Notably, Shivajinagar witnessed the third-highest 24-hour rainfall in 66 years, registering 114.1 mm. Historically, the highest one-day rainfall in July for Shivajinagar was 130.4 mm in 1958, followed by 117.9 mm in 1967.
As the evening progressed on Wednesday, the intensity of rainfall in Pune city increased markedly. By 10:15 pm, Shivajinagar had recorded 16.5 mm of rain, which surged to 114.5 mm by 8:30 am the following day. The central areas also experienced significant rainfall, with 98 mm recorded overnight. This pattern continued on July 25, with Shivajinagar recording 51.3 mm of rain by 5:30 pm. Consequently, Shivajinagar surpassed the average July rainfall levels for this year.
Shivajinagar’s rainfall between July 1 and 25 amounted to 337.2 mm, exceeding the typical July average of 190 mm by 147.2 mm. The IMD has forecasted continued rainfall activity in the Pune district, particularly in the ghat regions, for the next 48 hours, issuing an orange alert for the city until Friday. “In city areas, there are chances of light to moderate category rainfall in isolated areas. From tomorrow onwards, the rainfall activity is likely to subside in Pune, and a yellow alert has been issued for July 27 and 28.”, informed IMD.
On July 25, Chinchwad had 175 mm of rain, the city’s second three-digit rainfall total of the monsoon season. Before this, Chinchwad recorded 112.5 mm of rain on June 23. Within an hour, rainfall produced cloudburst-like conditions and major flooding in places like Chikhali and Spine Road. Chinchwad, Wadgaonsheri, and Lohegaon have seen exceptionally significant rainfall this year, which has regularly resulted in circumstances akin to flooding. On July 25, Chinchwad had recorded 68 mm of rain at 5:30 p.m.
Tamhini Ghat received 556 mm of rain by 8:30 am on July 25, the most of any ghat location. There was also significant rainfall in other places like Lonavla, Walvan, Shirgaon, Ambone, Dawadi, and Dungerwadi, with totals ranging from 280 to 400 mm. Numerous interruptions, such as flooding, waterlogging, blockages, and landslides, have been brought on by these intense rains. These extreme conditions have caused connectivity to be lost in some villages.
