Pune Records Highest Rainfall Of Season In Just 55 Minutes, Lohegaon Records 58 mm Rainfall 

Pune city witnessed heavy pre-monsoon showers on Friday, with Lohegaon recording the highest rainfall of the season at 58mm. The downpour, lasting for approximately 55 minutes, led to waterlogging in several areas, including Chandannagar, MG Road, Sangvi, Bibvewadi, Koregaon Park, Range Hills, Kothrud, Karve Road, and Swargate.

Meteorologists attributed the intense rainfall to high temperatures combined with moisture incursion caused by a prevailing weather system, creating favorable conditions for thundercloud development. As a result, Pune district remains on an orange alert until May 12.

The rainfall provided relief from the scorching heat, with Shivajinagar recording its lowest maximum temperature of 37.7°C since March 24. While Pune’s average rainfall in May is 18.3mm, Friday’s rainfall surpassed it by 1.5 times in just under an hour.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), a cyclonic circulation lies over central Madhya Pradesh, accompanied by an east-west trough from northwest Rajasthan to south Assam in the lower tropospheric levels. This weather setup may bring isolated to scattered rainfall, thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds of 30-40 kmph over Vidarbha, Madhya Maharashtra, Marathwada, and Chhattisgarh from May 10-14. Hailstorms are expected over Vidarbha on May 12-13, Madhya Maharashtra on May 11-12, and Marathwada on May 12.

While the widespread rainfall on Friday marked the beginning of intensified weather activity, independent weather forecasters cautioned about the unpredictable nature of thunderstorms. The Fire Force Control Room received numerous calls reporting incidents such as fallen trees and minor short circuits due to lightning strikes. However, no casualties were reported.

Friday’s intense rainfall highlights the need for residents to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions amid the ongoing weather disturbances in the region.