Pune Rain Breaks 12-Year July Record as IMD Issues Red Alert for Ghats; Heavy Rain to Continue Across Maharashtra

Pune has recorded its wettest July in 12 years, with relentless rainfall pushing precipitation levels to a new high even before the month ends. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has also issued a Red Alert for the ghat regions of Pune and warned that heavy rainfall will continue across Maharashtra over the next four days.

According to IMD data, Pune city recorded 452 mm of rainfall between July 1 and July 22 (8:30 am), surpassing the previous July record of 282.4 mm set in 2014. With eight days still remaining in the month, seasonal rainfall from June 1 has already reached 516 mm.

Active Monsoon to Persist Over Maharashtra

The IMD attributed the intensified rainfall to a cyclonic circulation over parts of Andhra Pradesh and the Bay of Bengal, along with a trough extending to the Arabian Sea. These weather systems have strengthened monsoon activity across Maharashtra, particularly over Konkan and Madhya Maharashtra.

Rainfall intensified in Pune city and district from Sunday, with heavy showers returning on Tuesday evening. On Wednesday, cloudy skies persisted throughout the day, followed by a spell of heavy rain around noon and intermittent showers thereafter.

Extremely Heavy Rainfall Recorded in Pune District

The hill regions of Pune district witnessed exceptionally heavy rainfall over the last 24 hours (till Wednesday morning):

• Bhira: 309 mm
• Tamhini: 275 mm
• Mulshi: 151 mm
• Lonavala: 142 mm

Heavy rainfall also continued across the district and dam catchment areas, while temperatures are expected to remain below normal for the next two days.

Red Alert for Pune Ghats

The IMD has issued a Red Alert for the Pune Ghat region, forecasting heavy to extremely heavy rainfall through Thursday. Residents and tourists have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel through hilly areas due to the risk of landslides, poor visibility, and waterlogging.

Mumbai and Konkan Forecast

Mumbai and Thane, which were earlier under an Orange Alert, are now under a Yellow Alert. Palghar remains under an Orange Alert, while Raigad, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg are under Yellow Alerts.

Heavy rain accompanied by winds of 40–50 kmph is likely in parts of Mumbai and the Konkan coast.

Western Maharashtra to Receive More Heavy Rain

Heavy rainfall is expected to continue across western Maharashtra.

• Satara Ghat region: Orange Alert; Mahabaleshwar and surrounding areas likely to receive heavy to very heavy rain.
• Kolhapur: Heavy rain expected mainly in the western parts of the district.
• Sangli and Solapur: Heavy showers accompanied by winds of 30–40 kmph are likely.

North Maharashtra Under Rain Watch

The IMD has warned of heavy to very heavy rainfall over the Nashik Ghat region. Moderate rainfall is also expected in Dhule, Jalgaon, and Nandurbar districts.

Rainfall Likely to Increase in Marathwada and Vidarbha

Yellow Alerts have been issued for Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Jalna, Nanded, and Parbhani, where light to moderate rain with thunderstorms is expected.

Cloudy conditions and moderate rainfall are likely in Dharashiv, Latur, and Beed.

In Vidarbha, monsoon activity is expected to intensify, with Yellow Alerts issued for Nagpur, Wardha, Bhandara, and Gondia, where thunderstorms and moderate to heavy rainfall are forecast.