Maharashtra Weather Update: Heavy Rainfall Disrupts Pune and Mumbai, Red And Orange Alerts Issued

Maharashtra Weather Report: The active monsoon trough has triggered extensive downpours across Maharashtra this week, leading to severe disruptions in Pune and Mumbai due to heavy overnight rains that continued into Thursday morning.

Maharashtra’s Forecast for the Next Few Days

The off-shore trough at mean sea level along South Gujarat-North Kerala coasts will result in fairly widespread to widespread light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning across Maharashtra.

In Madhya Maharashtra and Konkan, isolated extremely heavy rainfall may prevail on July 25, with very heavy rainfall continuing on July 26-27, and the intensity expected to lessen until July 29. Meanwhile, heavy rains will batter Marathwada on July 25 and Vidarbha on July 25-26.

The IMD has issued a red warning (meaning ‘take action’) over Konkan and Madhya Maharashtra on July 25-26, and an orange alert (meaning ‘be prepared’) on July 27-28. Marathwada remains on an orange alert on July 25-26, and Vidarbha on July 25.

Anupam Kashyapi, weather forecasting chief at the India Meteorological Department (IMD), reported that Pune’s Shivajinagar recorded 85.7mm of rainfall by 5:30 AM Thursday, marking the highest single-day July rainfall in Pune in 12 years. Surrounding areas faced even more extreme conditions, with Lavasa receiving 205.5mm and Lavale 113mm.

The intense downpour led to tragic incidents, including the death of three individuals due to electrocution while removing a handcart from the Mutha River bed. Additionally, a landslide along the Pune-Kolad Road in Tamhini Ghat resulted in the death of a 30-year-old man and injuries to another person.

The Khadakwasla Dam’s discharge surged to 35,574 cubic meters per second (cusecs) by 6 AM, causing significant flooding in residential areas along the Mutha and Mula-Mutha Rivers. Emergency evacuations were conducted, and many areas experienced power outages.

Waterlogging affected neighborhoods, including Kalyaninagar, Pashan, Panchavati, and Bavdhan bridge. Despite the extensive rainfall, flights and trains operated normally, though state transport bus services were reduced by 30%. Pune District Collector Suhas Diwase advised industrial establishments and private offices to close for the day and declared a holiday for schools in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad.

Vidarbha Hit Hard by Floods

In Vidarbha, continuous heavy rains over the past four days have led to extensive crop damage. Preliminary estimates indicate that around 40,000 hectares of farmland have been affected, impacting nearly 50,000 farmers. The rains, which began on July 19, have caused rivers and streams to overflow, inundating fields of cotton, tur, soybean, chili, rice, and vegetables.

Meanwhile, Nagpur has benefited from the rains, with an overnight 30% increase in water stocks due to 200mm of rain since Monday.

Marathwada Remains Hopeful for Good Kharif Season

Despite the lack of heavy rainfall in Marathwada, weather experts noted that conditions were conducive for kharif crops. Light to moderate rainfall across the region is expected to further support the growth of kharif crops.

Stay tuned for further updates and take necessary precautions during this period of extreme weather.