Pune Witnesses Wettest May in Over Six Decades; IMD Warns of More Rain

Pune, 24th May 2025: If it’s been feeling unusually rainy for this time of year in Pune, that’s because it truly is. The city is on track to record its highest May rainfall in over 60 years, according to data from the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

So far, 135.2 mm of rain has been recorded in Pune’s Shivajinagar area this month—making it the wettest May since 1961, when the area saw 148.8 mm of rainfall. With a few days left in the month and more showers in the forecast, meteorologists believe this year’s total could edge closer to historical highs.

“This is the most significant pre-monsoon spell we’ve seen in decades,” said a senior IMD official. “The last time we saw anything close to this was back in 1961. Given the current pace and the weather systems forming in the Arabian Sea, we expect these numbers to rise further.”

The record for the highest May rainfall in Shivajinagar still stands at 181.6 mm, set in 1933.

District Sees Unprecedented Surge in Rainfall
Across Pune district, the numbers are equally dramatic. As of Friday, May rainfall has reached 119.6 mm, which is 1,453% above the normal average, setting a new district-wide record since meteorological observations began in 1901.

The IMD has now issued an orange alert for Pune from May 25 to 27, warning of moderate to heavy showers, potentially affecting normal life and commuting in the city.

Weather System in Arabian Sea Raises Concerns
According to the IMD’s latest bulletin, a well-marked low-pressure system remains active over the east-central Arabian Sea, near the southern Konkan coast. “This system is expected to drift northward and may intensify into a depression within the next 24 hours,” the bulletin stated.

Rain Forecast Across Maharashtra
Looking ahead, the IMD has forecast widespread light to moderate rainfall with thunderstorms and gusty winds (40–50 km/h) for Konkan, Goa, and Madhya Maharashtra from May 24 to 29. Marathwada will likely experience similar weather from May 24 to 27.

The agency has also warned of isolated incidents of extremely heavy rain in Konkan and Goa on May 24–25, and in Madhya Maharashtra on May 25. Additional bouts of heavy to very heavy rain are expected across these regions throughout the coming week.