City on Fire: Pune’s March Temperatures Hit a 10-Year High

Pune, 10th March 2025: The mercury is set to soar in Pune and surrounding areas, with temperatures expected to touch 40°C in the coming days, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Officials attribute the rise to clear skies and the absence of northern wind influences over Maharashtra.

Several areas, including Koregaon Park and Chinchwad, are likely to record their highest temperatures of the season so far. Pune has already experienced a 3-4°C rise in daytime temperatures over the last two weeks.

“With no active weather system over Maharashtra and no impact of northerly winds, we cannot rule out temperatures hitting 40°C soon,” said a senior IMD official.

While some cloud cover may appear in the afternoons, overall conditions will remain dry and warm.

On Sunday, Shivajinagar recorded 37.5°C, while Lohegaon touched 38.5°C, marking a temperature increase of 2.6°C and 3.6°C above normal, respectively. Lohegaon had already hit 39.5°C on Saturday, further highlighting the warming trend.

Similar conditions are expected across the city, though heatwave warnings are currently limited to parts of Konkan.

“To declare a heatwave, the temperature difference from normal levels must be at least 4.5°C. So far, no other region in Maharashtra has met this criterion,” the IMD official explained.

Earlier, Ratnagiri in Konkan witnessed heatwave conditions, with four reported cases of heat stroke in Nanded, Thane, and Jalna. However, no heat-related fatalities have been recorded so far.

The increasing heat is likely to strain drinking water supply and affect agricultural output in regions like Madhya Maharashtra, Marathwada, Vidarbha, and Konkan.

In Marathwada, Parbhani recorded 37.9°C, the highest in the region. Meanwhile, Akola in Vidarbha hit 39.5°C, exceeding the normal temperature by 3.2°C and registering the highest maximum temperature in the state.

IMD data reveals that Pune has recorded its highest average maximum temperature for early March in over 10 years, with Shivajinagar averaging 36.6°C, surpassing the previous record of 36.3°C set in 2021.
Experts point to a combination of factors, including urban heat island effects and broader climate change patterns, as key reasons behind the rising temperatures.

With temperatures set to climb further, citizens are advised to take necessary precautions to beat the heat.