Monsoon chaos is back in Pune. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has sounded the alarm, issuing a red alert for the city and an orange one for its surrounding ghat regions. And this time, it’s not just a drizzle — intense, prolonged rainfall is here, with gusty winds in tow.
While Pune residents woke up to waterlogged roads and grey skies, meteorologists warned it’s going to get worse before it gets better. With more than 70 mm of rain expected in some areas in just a few hours, life in western Maharashtra is bracing for a soaking.
Red Alert for Pune, Orange for Ghats
The IMD’s red alert for Pune isn’t just a cautionary flag. It means very heavy rainfall — possibly more than 115 mm in 24 hours — and it brings with it a range of public safety concerns. According to the Regional Meteorological Centre in Mumbai, the alert covers not just Pune city but also its hilly outskirts, which include regions that are typically prone to landslides and road washouts.
Meanwhile, an orange alert has been announced for several other districts — notably Thane, Palghar, Raigad, and Ratnagiri — as monsoon winds whip in from the Arabian Sea. These regions are likely to face continuous rain through the day, with thunderstorms expected at night.
It’s not just about wet roads either.
Gusty Winds and Slippery Roads Raising Risk
Alongside torrential rains, gusty winds — reaching speeds between 40 and 50 km/h — are set to lash the region. This makes commuting even more hazardous, particularly in higher elevation zones where visibility plummets and roads get slick fast.
The IMD has flagged the Ghat regions as the most vulnerable for disruptions. In these areas:
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Landslides are a real concern.
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Slippery bends could turn treacherous for two-wheelers and public buses.
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Trees weakened by wind or waterlogging may collapse onto roads and power lines.
Adding to the woes, city drainage systems are already struggling to keep up.
Schools May Shut, Roads Waterlogged
Local civic bodies are reportedly reviewing school operations for the day, especially in Pune and Satara. While no blanket closure has been confirmed yet, officials say if the rainfall continues at the current rate, many schools may suspend classes or shift to online mode temporarily.
One sentence break: Streets in central Pune were flooded by early morning.
Citizens reported delays in traffic, potholes getting worse by the hour, and low-lying residential areas near Kothrud, Sinhagad Road, and Erandwane already experiencing waterlogging. Morning office hours saw a visible drop in traffic, with many choosing to stay home.
What’s Fueling the Downpour?
According to the IMD, a well-marked low-pressure system has formed over the east-central Arabian Sea, near the North Konkan coast. This is what’s been pulling in moisture-heavy winds, which are now colliding with the Western Ghats, unleashing downpours.
Here’s a quick overview:
| Weather System | Location | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Low Pressure Area | East-central Arabian Sea | Pulls moisture inland |
| Gusty Wind Zone | North Konkan and Ghats | Wind speeds up to 50 km/h |
| Rainfall Impact Zone | Pune, Raigad, Satara, Ratnagiri | Intense showers, flash flooding risk |
This system, combined with the peak phase of the monsoon cycle, means parts of Maharashtra are seeing some of their heaviest rainfall yet this season.
Travel, Events, and Advisory Updates
With the situation changing by the hour, authorities have advised against unnecessary travel — particularly between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m., when the next wave of intense showers is expected.
In Pune’s case, several routes around the Deccan Gymkhana and Shivajinagar areas may become inaccessible if rain continues.
Meanwhile, the annual Palkhi procession — a major cultural and spiritual event that sees thousands walking the route to Pandharpur — might face disruptions. Local organizers are reportedly coordinating with the municipal authorities to re-route or delay certain processions based on weather patterns.
One-sentence drop: Some processions may shift to early morning to avoid late-evening thundershowers.
The situation is especially tricky in Satara, where roads leading to pilgrimage points have already shown signs of minor landslides.
Longer Spell Likely Through the Week
Unfortunately, this isn’t a passing cloudburst. The IMD has predicted that heavy to very heavy rainfall will continue across parts of Maharashtra for at least the next 48 hours, possibly longer.
The regions under various alerts include:
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Red Alert: Pune, Satara
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Orange Alert: Raigad, Palghar, Ratnagiri, Thane
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Yellow Alert: Nashik, Vidarbha, Nagpur, Amravati
Each alert level corresponds to the potential severity and requires escalating degrees of public preparedness.
For Pune, this means being ready for:
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Flash floods in urban zones
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Blocked storm drains
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Short power cuts due to fallen trees or water ingress
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Disrupted mobile and internet services in isolated areas
Local officials have confirmed that pump stations are operational and on standby, especially near the Mula-Mutha riverbanks.
Residents Urged To Stay Vigilant
Civic authorities, led by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), have urged residents to:
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Avoid stepping out unless necessary.
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Stay away from overflowing drains and riverbanks.
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Report waterlogging or tree falls through emergency helplines.
Emergency contact numbers have been circulated again through local WhatsApp groups and community channels. Some residential societies have even activated volunteer groups for neighborhood assistance.
