Pune: Monsoon Mayhem – Third Highest Rainfall in July Since 1987 Unleashes Havoc and Paralyzes City
Heavy rainfall battered Pune city and district, recording a record 114.1 mm from Wednesday morning to Thursday morning, marking the highest rainfall in a 24-hour period in July since 2007. The downpour, attributed to steamy winds from the Arabian Sea and a trough stretching between South Gujarat and Kerala, led to flood-like conditions in the Konkan and Mumbai regions.
Urban and dam areas in Pune district were heavily affected, forcing authorities to release water from Varasgaon, Khadakwasla, and Pavana dams. This resulted in significant waterlogging in Pune city and neighboring areas. Overflowing Mula and Mutha rivers inundated societies and colonies along the riverbanks, causing slow traffic due to submerged bridges and water accumulation.
Continuous rainfall over the past few days made sightings of the sun rare. The rains intensified on Tuesday, affecting both ghats and urban areas, with 100 mm of rain recorded in the city, suburbs, ghats, and rural regions by Thursday.
As a precautionary measure, schools and colleges in Lonavala declared a holiday two days in advance. Pune district collector Dr. Suhas Diwase declared Thursday a holiday for all educational institutions. Residents have been advised to limit travel to work and emergencies. Many tourists stranded in Lonavala, Mulshi, and surrounding areas are being rescued.
Tenth Highest Rainfall Ever Recorded
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) reports that Pune recorded its tenth-highest rainfall ever at 114.1 mm. This is also the third highest for this month, surpassing previous records of 95 mm on July 3, 2007, and 117 mm on July 27, 1967. The highest daily rainfall ever recorded in Pune city was 182 mm on October 5, 2010.
An IMD official stated, “In the past 12 years, this is the highest rainfall record for the district. On July 30, 2014, 84.3 mm was recorded in Shivajinagar, but by Thursday morning, the total for the same area had reached 85.7 mm, measured over a 24-hour cycle ending at 8:30 am. With additional rain expected in the next three hours, this figure is likely to set a new all-time July record for Pune.”
Weather Department Submerged by Flooding
Heavy rainfall led to significant water accumulation outside the IMD office in Shivaji Nagar. While the IMD had forecasted heavy rain for the Ghat areas of Pune district and occasional showers in urban areas, the actual rainfall exceeded expectations. Ongoing metro construction in Shivaji Nagar, Nagar Road, and Mandai exacerbated water accumulation and resulted in traffic delays. The Shimla office area was also affected by flooding.
Pune Records Third Highest July Rainfall Since 1989
On July 25th, Pune experienced heavy rainfall, receiving 114.1 mm of rain. This is the third-highest rainfall for July since 1989. The highest July rainfall was 117.1 mm on June 9, 2024, followed by 112.1 mm on October 15, 2020. Pune has seen more extreme rainfall in the past, with records including 181.1 mm on October 5, 2010, and 141.7 mm on August 17, 1987.
The recent heavy rain caused localized flooding, affecting daily life and transportation. Authorities are advising residents to stay cautious and check weather updates as more rain is expected. This record rainfall highlights the need for better preparedness and infrastructure to handle such extreme weather in the future.
