Experts say it is normal for Pune to get heavy rainfall before and after monsoon

Pune: IMD officials have said that it is common for Pune to witness spells of intense rainfall during days preceding and after monsoon.

With heavy rainfall on June 4, the city recorded an extreme weather phenomenon in the Vadgaon Sheri and Lohegaon areas. While India Meteorological Department (IMD) officials highlighted that such intense rain incidents are common in the pre- and post- monsoon period and that earlier too, Pune has experienced such events, weather experts stressed that this event once again highlights the need for a weather radar for the city.

On June 4, Pune experienced intense rainfall within a short span of two hours. As per the IMD data, Lohegaon received 144 mm of rainfall whereas Vadgaon Sheri received 120.5 mm of rainfall. Areas such as Koregaon Park and Shivajinagar received 80mm and 68.3 mm of rainfall, respectively.

Hindustan Times quoted K S Hosalikar, head of climate research and services, IMD Pune. According to the report he said, “On June 4, many areas in Pune, Satara, Ahmednagar and some parts in Konkan experienced heavy rainfall within a short span of two to two-and-a-half hours. In Pune, there were moderate to severe thunderstorms. The rainfall was seen in the satellite images and we had also issued a nowcast warning for the same.”

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“During the pre-monsoon phase, it is common to receive such intense rainfall. Pune city has experienced such intense rainfall earlier as well. The high moisture incursion and higher temperatures have contributed significantly to the development of thunderstorm clouds over central Maharashtra, including the central part of Pune district. This cloud formation resulted in intense rain. Typically, clouds cover an area of around 200 km but if we see rainfall figures in Pune, intense rainfall was received in some pockets. Yet, it was severe category rainfall and has been considered an extreme weather event by the IMD. It was well captured in satellite images and was conveyed in advance to all concerned authorities through the nowcast warning,” Hosalikar said.