IMD to Issue Separate Rainfall Alerts for Ghat and City Areas in Pune, Satara, and Kolhapur
IMD to Issue Separate Rainfall Alerts for Ghat and City Areas in Pune, Satara, and Kolhapur (representational pic)
This monsoon, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) faced criticism after several red alerts issued for Pune district resulted in school holidays, though significant rainfall didn’t follow. Many residents voiced concerns over alleged “false alarms,” particularly in Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad, and rural areas.
To address this, IMD will now issue separate alerts for the ghat and plains areas in Pune, Satara, and Kolhapur. This new initiative aims to reduce confusion and provide clearer forecasts.
The southwest monsoon, which runs from June 1 to September 30, is Maharashtra’s main source of rain, bringing 80-90% of the state’s annual rainfall. While the monsoon is crucial for the state’s agriculture and ecosystem, its variability creates challenges. Delays or weak rains can lead to drought, crop loss, and economic hardships, while excessive rains may trigger floods, landslides, and damage to infrastructure.
IMD uses a color-coded warning system: green for no alert, yellow for light rain, orange for moderate to heavy rain, and red for heavy to extreme rainfall. This year, during peak monsoon in July and August, multiple red alerts led to school closures in Pune. Later, IMD clarified that these alerts were meant only for the ghat areas and not for city areas, highlighting a misinterpretation by authorities.
With this new approach, effective from October 22, IMD hopes to enhance accuracy and prevent inconvenience for residents in the affected regions. Separate warnings for ghat and city areas will ensure that only relevant areas are alerted.
