Storms, Thunder, and Heavy Rains Ahead: Maharashtra on High Alert for 5 Days

Maharashtra is in the grip of an intense and prolonged spell of unseasonal weather, with thunderstorms, lightning, and heavy rainfall forecasted to persist across the state for the next five days. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued multiple alerts, including several Orange Alerts, warning of potentially severe storms that have already disrupted daily life and inflicted significant damage on agriculture.

Unseasonal pre-monsoon rains have already hammered many parts of the state, particularly in the Marathwada region, where continuous rainfall over the past four days has devastated summer crops and fruit orchards. The agricultural sector, already burdened by unpredictable climate patterns, now faces yet another blow with strong winds damaging mango, banana, and pomegranate plantations.

According to the IMD, current weather conditions are favorable for the advancement of the southwest monsoon, expected to move further across the southern Arabian Sea, Maldives region, Comorin area, Andaman Islands, and the central Bay of Bengal in the coming days. This development, while normal for this season, has come with unexpected intensity and disruption.

Temperature drops have been recorded across Maharashtra, with cooler conditions settling in. However, the state remains on high alert due to the instability of the weather system. Orange Alerts — indicating severe weather risk — have been issued for parts of Vidarbha, including Chandrapur, Wardha, and Yavatmal, while Yellow Alerts are in effect across a wide swath of the state.

Alerts Across Regions:

Vidarbha Region:

The IMD has placed Buldhana, Akola, Amravati, Washim, Yavatmal, Wardha, Nagpur, Bhandara, Gondia, Gadchiroli, and Chandrapur under a Yellow Alert for five days. These districts can expect thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds reaching speeds of 40–50 km/h.

Marathwada Region:

Marathwada districts, including Jalna, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Beed, Dharashiv, Latur, Nanded, Parbhani, and Hingoli, are also under a five-day Yellow Alert. Similar weather patterns — including storms and strong winds — are expected to continue, raising concerns among farmers over additional crop losses.

Central Maharashtra:

Districts such as Kolhapur, Satara, Pune, Ahilyanagar, and Nashik are bracing for severe storms. Orange Alerts have been issued in these areas for heavy rain, lightning, and winds of 50–60 km/h. Additional districts including Solapur, Jalgaon, Dhule, and Nandurbar are likely to see persistent thunderstorms over the next five days.

Konkan and Mumbai Region:

The Konkan belt, including Mumbai, Thane, and Palghar, has already experienced heavy rainfall and thunderstorm activity over the past week, causing disruptions to normal life. The IMD now forecasts continued thunderstorm activity across Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, Raigad, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg.

Damage to Agriculture

So far, crop damage has been reported in 22 districts due to the heavy downpour and strong winds. Fruit orchards and summer crops — especially mangoes, pomegranates, and bananas — have taken a severe hit. With more storms expected, farmers are being urged to take preventive measures to avoid further losses.

As the state braces for more turbulent days, the IMD advises residents, especially those in rural and agricultural areas, to stay informed and cautious. Authorities are also on alert to respond to any emergencies that may arise during this unstable weather period.