Weather Update: IMD Issues Orange Alert On Thursday as Heavy Rains Lash Pune for Second Consecutive Day, Red Alert Issued in Certain Districts Of Maharashtra
IMD Weather Forecast: Heavy Rains Predicted Across Multiple Regions in India
PUNE, July 24, 2024 — The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for Pune and its surrounding regions as heavy to moderate rainfall continued to pound the area for the second straight day on Wednesday. The Khadakwasla Dam, currently at 80% capacity, has opened its gates to release water due to the significant rise in dam levels.
As of 5:30 PM on Wednesday, Lavasa recorded the highest rainfall with 106mm, followed by Lavale at 98mm, and the popular hill station of Lonavala at 95mm. Since the onset of the monsoon, Pune district has received 567.2mm of rainfall, significantly surpassing the normal average of 420.1mm.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a heavy rainfall warning for Pune today, placing the district under an orange alert. While the Ghats are expected to receive extremely heavy rainfall, other areas are forecasted to experience moderate rain.
Heavy rains have been lashing various parts of the state, with several regions experiencing continuous downpours. The IMD predicts heavy to very heavy rainfall in multiple districts today. Raigad and Satara are among the districts expected to receive extremely heavy rainfall, prompting the issuance of a red alert. Satara’s Ghats are anticipated to see intense rain, with moderate to heavy rainfall expected in other parts.
The renewed monsoon activity is attributed to the monsoon trough passing through Bikaner, Sikar, Gwalior, Ranchi, and Digha, leading to heavy rainfall across the state. The IMD’s forecast includes an orange alert for Thursday, predicting heavy to very heavy rainfall for the Ghat regions of Pune and its surroundings.
The continuous downpour has led to a significant increase in dam levels around Pune. Khadakwasla Dam, now 98% full, has commenced the release of approximately 15,000 cusecs of water. Other dams in the region have also reported higher water levels compared to last year. Warasgaon Dam is 53.77% full, a significant rise from 3.37% during the same period last year. Panshet Dam is at 68.60% capacity, up from 2.98%, and Temghar Dam has reached 49.56%, compared to 38.93% last year.
Pavana Dam, which supplies water to the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation, is 68.60% full, a substantial increase from last year’s 2.98%. With the forecast of continued good rains, Pune’s dam levels are expected to reach full capacity soon.
Forecast for the next few days
The westerly winds and the shear zone located in the Central Highlands are expected to produce heavy to very heavy spells accompanied by thunderstorms throughout the week.
Isolated extremely heavy rainfall is likely over Gujarat, Konkan-Goa, and Madhya Maharashtra on July 24. Heavy to very heavy rainfall is also anticipated at isolated places over Konkan-Goa from July 25-28; Madhya Maharashtra and Gujarat from July 25-28.
Given the chances of inclement weather, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red warning (meaning, ‘take action’) for Gujarat, Madhya Maharashtra on July 24-25, and Konkan-Goa on July 24. The warnings will downgrade to orange alert (meaning, ‘be prepared’) on the subsequent days until July 27 for the Maharashtra regions and until July 28 for Gujarat.
The city’s ongoing water crisis might soon be alleviated if dam levels continue to rise at this rate, offering a hopeful outlook for Pune’s water supply situation.
