Lohgaon Hits 43°C as Pune Swelters Under Intense Heat Spell, Public Advised to Take Precautions

Pune, 17th April 2025: Pune continued to swelter under an intensifying heatwave, with temperatures hitting season highs on Wednesday. Lohgaon reported a blistering 43°C — the highest temperature recorded in the city this year — while Shivajinagar followed closely at 41.2°C, nearly 3.2 degrees above the seasonal average.

Meteorological officials attributed the temperature spike to dry, northwesterly winds blowing into Maharashtra from already heatwave-hit states like Rajasthan and Gujarat.

“These winds are transporting hot air masses into the region, significantly driving up daytime temperatures,” said a senior official from the India Meteorological Department (IMD). “The elevated heat is expected to persist for the next few days as these wind patterns remain unchanged.”
Akola topped the state’s heat charts with a scorching 43.4°C, making it the hottest location in Maharashtra on Wednesday.

Weather experts have raised concerns over the sustained high temperatures, which are becoming more frequent and intense. “The alarming trend is not just the peak temperature, but how persistently we’re seeing 40°C-plus readings. If this continues, several April records could be broken,” a meteorologist warned.

Former head of the weather forecasting division at IMD Pune, Anupam Kashyapi, also sounded the alarm on worsening heat conditions. “It’s mid-summer, and we’re seeing the effects of dry soil, a lack of rainfall, and hot winds from northwest India. Temperatures in Pune and across Maharashtra are likely to climb even further over the next 72 hours,” he said.

Kashyapi advised residents to take heat precautions seriously: “Avoid going outdoors between 11 am and 4 pm. Stay hydrated at all times. The situation is approaching heatwave levels and is very uncomfortable. The chances of rainfall are low, except for some isolated areas in southeast Maharashtra. Please follow impact-based advisories.”

With the mercury on the rise and no immediate relief in sight, residents are urged to limit exposure to the sun, wear light clothing, and stay indoors during peak heat hours.