Pune Monsoon Arrives 12 Days Late: IMD Declares Onset After Driest June in 94 Years
Pune, 22nd June 2026: The southwest monsoon finally arrived in Pune on Monday, June 22, after a delay of nearly 12 days from its normal onset date of June 10. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) officially declared the onset of the monsoon over the city, marking the end of an unusually prolonged dry spell that made this June one of the driest in nearly a century.
The monsoon’s arrival came a day after widespread evening showers lashed several parts of Pune, bringing much-needed relief from the dry weather conditions that had persisted since the beginning of the month. The city recorded virtually no rainfall during the first 20 days of June, prompting meteorologists to describe it as Pune’s driest June in 94 years, since 1932.
Historical records indicate that delayed monsoon arrivals in Pune and Mumbai are relatively uncommon. The monsoon reached Mumbai as late as June 25 in both 2019 and 2023, while in 2009 it arrived on June 21. This year’s prolonged dry spell has drawn comparisons with some of the driest periods recorded in western Maharashtra.
According to IMD data, the National Defence Academy (NDA) recorded the highest rainfall on Sunday till 5:30 pm at 78.5 mm, followed by Shivajinagar (18.3 mm), Hadapsar (8.5 mm), Pashan (4 mm) and Lavale (1.5 mm). Rainfall was also reported from Baner, Warje, Hinjawadi, Katraj, Sinhagad Road, Shakar Nagar and Kondhwa.
IMD officials said the widespread showers on Sunday were triggered by thunderstorm activity aided by moisture-laden westerly winds and daytime heating. The subsequent advancement of the monsoon current enabled the southwest monsoon to officially reach Pune on Monday.
“The westerlies are bringing moisture into Maharashtra. Combined with daytime heating, these conditions led to the formation of thunderstorms over Pune, resulting in widespread rainfall. Conditions have now become favourable for the further advancement of the monsoon,” said S.D. Sanap, Senior Meteorologist at IMD Pune.
Despite the monsoon onset, rainfall activity over Pune is expected to remain largely light over the next few days, with no forecast of widespread moderate or heavy rainfall.
While the showers brought relief to residents, they also exposed civic shortcomings, with waterlogging reported at Mitra Mandal Chowk, Hinjawadi and Kondhwe-Dhawade. Citizens also shared videos showing plastic waste floating through drains, raising concerns over waste management and drainage maintenance ahead of the peak monsoon season.
