Rainfall may increase in Maharashtra as a depression forms over Bay of Bengal. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert (heavy to very heavy rain) for Pune for the next 48 hours. The department has advised against visiting the ghat areas of Konkan, Pune and Satara.
According to Anupam Kashyapi, chief, weather forecasting department, IMD Pune, the low pressure area over Bay of Bengal will turn into a depression around July 26 and then move west-northwestward. At the same time, a monsoon trough formed over the west coast from Maharashtra to north Kerala. A shear zone (area filled with opposite winds) has also formed under the influence of these conditions and rainfall activity is expected to increase over Maharashtra, Pune district, Pune city and Ghat areas from July 25 afternoon. Very heavy to extreme rainfall may occur in Ghat area due to which visibility will be low in this area. There is also a possibility of landslides and waterlogging in low-lying areas. Hence, people have been advised not to visit the ghat area for the next three to four days, Kashyapi said.
Red alert issued in Pune on July 26 and 27; An orange alert has been issued for July 28 and 29. A red alert has been issued for Raigarh, Ratnagiri, Kolhapur and Satara for the next 24 hours. Orange alert has been issued in Gadchiroli and Gondia districts.
Pune district received cumulative rainfall of 370.7 mm till 23 July, 9% below normal. Pune city (Shivajinagar) has received 190.8 mm rainfall till July 24, which is 96.9 mm below normal. The latest figures are yet to be updated, IMD officials said. Meanwhile, Pune city received light rain throughout the day on Tuesday. Till 5.30 pm, Shivajinagar received 1.6 mm of rain; Chinchwad 7 mm; Stone 2.5 mm; and Lohegaon 1.2 mm rainfall.