Heavy Rain Batters Ghat Areas; IMD Issues Red Alert for Pune, Satara, Raigad
Pune, 18th August 2025: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for ghat sections of Pune, Satara, Raigad, Ratnagiri, and Kolhapur on Monday, warning of very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall. On Tuesday, the warning will remain in effect for Satara and Palghar as well.
Between 8.30 pm on Saturday and 8.30 am on Sunday, several parts of Maharashtra received intense showers. Tamhini recorded the highest rainfall at 210 mm, followed by Koyna (Navja) at 174 mm and Koyna (Pophali) at 151 mm.
An IMD scientist explained that the widespread rainfall is the result of multiple weather systems interacting over the region.
“The monsoon trough is currently positioned south of its normal track. In addition, an upper air cyclonic circulation is active over the west-central and adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal, near north Andhra Pradesh and south Odisha. A fresh low-pressure system has developed in the same area, and another trough extends from the northeast Arabian Sea to this low-pressure zone. Together with circulations over Vidarbha, south Chhattisgarh, and Marathwada, these systems are sustaining the heavy rainfall activity,” the official said.
Pune City and Surroundings
While the ghat regions saw torrential rain, Pune city and nearby areas received light to moderate showers. Lavale recorded 8 mm, followed by Nimgiri (5.5 mm) and Pashan (4 mm). Other readings included Shivajinagar (2.7 mm), Hadapsar and Magarpatta (0.5 mm), Talegaon (2 mm), and Chinchwad (1.5 mm).
In the hill stations and ghat belts, the downpour was more severe. Lonavla, Thakurwadi, Walvan, Wangaon, and Shirota received between 30 mm and 54 mm. Elsewhere, Bhira (123 mm), Shirgaon (120 mm), and Ambone (115 mm) were among the wettest spots. Bhivpuri (98 mm) and Dawdi (110 mm) also reported significant rainfall.
Dams Near Full Capacity
The irrigation department has raised an alert for low-lying areas around Pune, as Temghar dam has reached 95% capacity. Officials said water discharge may begin once it fills completely.
In the catchment zones of Pune’s reservoirs, rainfall was comparatively light. Khadakwasla received 2 mm, while Temghar (27 mm), Varasgaon (24 mm), and Panshet (26 mm) were the other key readings until 8 am Sunday.
