Weather Update: IMD Issues Heatwave Alert for 8 Districts in Maharashtra; Pune to Experience Convective Rainfall

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for eight districts in Maharashtra, namely Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, Raigad, Dhule, Nandurbar, Jalgaon, Nashik, and Beed, indicating heatwave conditions expected on Thursday. Additionally, IMD forecasts light to moderate rainfall with strong winds, thunderstorms, and lightning at isolated places in Pune, Ahmednagar, Sangli, Satara, Dharashiv, and Latur districts on the same day.

Pune experienced isolated rainfall on Wednesday, but it did not provide significant relief from the prevailing heat. A senior IMD official attributed this rainfall to moisture incision over certain parts of the state, including Madhya Maharashtra, caused by the position of the trough line. This condition is leading to convective rainfall in parts of the city, which is expected to persist for the next two days.

Wadgaonsheri recorded the highest rainfall in Pune city till 7:30 PM on Wednesday, with 16.5mm, followed by Magarpatta (1mm), Haveli (1mm), and Pashan (0.5mm). However, despite the rainfall, temperatures remained high across the region. Malegaon recorded the highest temperature in the state at 43.2°C, followed closely by Talegaon Dhamdhere in Shirur tehsil at 43.1°C. Several stations across Pune district recorded temperatures over 40°C.

In Pune city, Wadgaonsheri was the hottest location with a maximum temperature of 41.6°C, followed by Chinchwad (41.5°C), Magarpatta (41.3°C), Lavale (41.2°C), Lohegaon (40.5°C), and Shivajinagar (39.8°C). The temperatures in Shivajinagar and Lohegaon were above normal by 2.1° and 2.5°, respectively.

In the Marathwada region, all four stations recorded temperatures over 40°C, exceeding the normal range by 0.4° to 3.7°C. Similarly, in Vidarbha, except for Gondia (39.8°C), all other nine stations recorded temperatures over 40°C.

IMD has advised people to take precautions to avoid heat exposure, including wearing loose and cotton clothes, covering their heads with a cloth, hat, or umbrella, staying hydrated, and avoiding outdoor activities during peak heat hours.