Relentless Monsoon Triggers Red Alert in Pune’s Ghats; Extreme Evening Rain Lashes City as Chinchwad Records 51.5 mm
Pune, 5th July 2026: An aggressive monsoon continues to hold Pune and its surrounding areas in a firm grip, forcing the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to maintain a strict Red Alert for the ghat (hill) regions of the district for Sunday, July 5, and Monday, July 6. Warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall with isolated extremely heavy downpours in elevated areas, weather scientists have flagged highly active monsoon conditions that are expected to persist for the next two to three days. In response, the district administration has escalated its safety warnings, instructing citizens to restrict travel, avoid visiting water bodies or waterfalls, and stay completely clear of ghat roads prone to sudden landslides.
The wet spell grew intensely active during the evening of Sunday, July 5, bringing a substantial volume of rain in a very short window. According to the 12:00 UTC (5:30 PM IST) telemetry, rural and sub-divisional monitoring stations reported moderate to heavy precipitation. Bhor taluka recorded the district’s highest rural rainfall at 42.0 mm, followed by the landslide-sensitive region of Malin with 29.5 mm. Steady showers were also recorded in Rajgurunagar and Nimgiri, both logging 27.0 mm, while Shirur registered 17.5 mm, Dudulgaon recorded 13.5 mm, and Dapodi clocked 12.0 mm. In contrast, the eastern plains of the district saw much lighter, sporadic drizzle, with Baramati recording 1.2 mm and Daund receiving a mere 0.5 mm.
Within the urban and suburban sectors of Pune, the monsoon activity escalated dramatically as the evening progressed, resulting in widespread waterlogging across low-lying localities. Chinchwad was heavily hammered, recording an impressive 51.5 mm of rainfall by 15:00 UTC (8:30 PM IST). Lohegaon also registered a heavy downpour of 34.2 mm, while central Pune’s Shivajinagar station recorded 31.8 mm, bringing an intense chill to the city center. The National Defence Academy (NDA) in Khadakwasla logged a significant 28.5 mm of rain, and Lavale registered 9.5 mm.
The continuous precipitation and dense cloud cover led to a sharp drop in temperatures, keeping the weather exceptionally cool. According to realized temperature reports, central Pune recorded a maximum of 25°C and a minimum of 22.0°C. Lavale experienced the coolest conditions with a low of 19.8°C, while Pashan recorded a minimum of 21.2°C, Lohegaon clocked 21.6°C, and Chinchwad hovered at 22.4°C. Relative humidity levels reached complete saturation across the city, hitting 100% in both Lohegaon and Chinchwad, and hovering closely between 98% and 99% in Shivajinagar, Lavale, and NDA.
The Climate Research Centre in Pune has issued a comprehensive impact-based forecast for the region. The anticipated impacts of the ongoing downpour include a drastic reduction in visibility, extremely slippery road surfaces during intense spells, and major traffic disruptions. Low-lying areas adjacent to riverbanks and ghat roads are highly vulnerable to waterlogging, and there remains a persistent threat of uprooted trees, falling branches, and minor landslides in elevated areas. Municipal authorities have urged motorists to regulate their speeds and stay updated with official traffic advisories as municipal teams work to clear waterlogged streets.
