Pune, Ghats Lashed by Heavy Rain; IMD Issues Fresh Alerts as Dams Near Capacity

By Sarhind Times Weather Bureau

Pune: A Weekend Drenched in Rain

The weekend brought torrential showers to Pune district and adjoining ghat sections, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing fresh orange and yellow alerts across large parts of Maharashtra. The rainfall has pushed major reservoirs to near full capacity while raising concerns of waterlogging and potential landslides in hilly terrain.

According to IMD officials, Bhira in Raigad district recorded 145 mm, the highest in the region, while popular hill towns such as Lonavala and Nimgiri logged significant totals. The heavy downpour reinforced forecasts of persistent activity over Konkan, Madhya Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Marathwada through the early week.

Reservoirs Swell to the Brim

Water storage across major dams in Pune district is now at ~99.34% of cumulative capacity.

Khadakwasla Dam released around 10,000 cusecs of water on Sunday morning before scaling back as inflows eased.
Officials confirmed that controlled releases will continue as a precaution, with downstream villages kept under close watch.
Pavana, Mulshi, and Varasgaon dams also reported high inflows, ensuring adequate water security for the coming months.

Authorities, however, warned that further heavy spells could necessitate additional releases, prompting residents in low-lying zones to remain vigilant.

City & Suburban Impact

The rainfall brought familiar urban challenges:

Waterlogging in Chinchwad, Lohegaon, and Hadapsar disrupted traffic.
Tree falls in multiple neighborhoods prompted Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) crews into late-night clearance drives.
Local trains and buses reported minor delays, though no major service suspensions were recorded.

Residents were urged to avoid underpasses and poorly drained roads during peak rainfall hours.

IMD Forecast & Alerts

The IMD has placed:

Orange alerts over Pune’s ghats and Konkan districts, warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall.
Yellow alerts for adjoining Madhya Maharashtra and Marathwada districts, cautioning of moderate to heavy spells.
Fishermen advisories along the Konkan coast until early October, as rough sea conditions persist with the depression now shifting toward the northeast Arabian Sea.

Meteorologists attribute the rainfall surge to the interaction of monsoon currents with the weakening low-pressure system that had earlier battered central India.

Risks in Ghat Sections

The Sahyadri ghats, known for their steep slopes and dense forests, face heightened risks of:

Landslides on road corridors connecting Pune to Konkan (notably Mumbai–Goa highway and Lonavala–Khandala sections).
Rockfall and slush flows impacting traffic safety.
Flash flooding in smaller streams feeding into major reservoirs.

Highway authorities confirmed round-the-clock monitoring, with excavators and barricades positioned at vulnerable bends.

Agriculture Impact

Farmers across Marathwada and Madhya Maharashtra welcomed the rain for replenishing soil moisture, but excessive showers at this stage could damage soyabean and cotton crops nearing harvest. State agriculture officers are conducting field inspections to assess potential losses.

Citizen Advisory

Authorities issued a set of advisories:

Avoid unnecessary travel in ghat sections during heavy spells.
Fishermen to strictly comply with coastal advisories.
Urban commuters to check real-time traffic updates before leaving home.
Residents near rivers and nullahs to remain alert for dam release notifications.

Voices from the Ground

Kiran Deshmukh, commuter in Chinchwad: “The waterlogging caught many two-wheelers. We need better drainage before every heavy spell.”
Swapna Rane, farmer near Baramati: “The rain helps, but if it continues for another week, our standing soyabean crop could suffer.”
Highway official at Lonavala ghat: “We are deploying machines at risky turns. Travelers should not ignore warning signs.”

Conclusion

With dams brimming, ghats vulnerable, and alerts active, Pune and surrounding regions are entering a crucial phase of the monsoon’s tail-end. While the rains guarantee water security, they also bring a renewed test of urban resilience and disaster preparedness.

As the IMD maintains its warnings, the next few days will decide whether Maharashtra’s rain-soaked September closes with relief or renewed disruption.

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