Relief in Sight? Pune Swelters at 40°C Amid Widespread Heatwave

Pune, 13th March 2025: The city experienced its hottest day of the season on Wednesday, with temperatures soaring to 40.2°C in Lohgaon and Koregaon Park. Several other areas in the region also crossed the 40°C mark, signaling an intensifying heatwave.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued heatwave warnings across multiple states, highlighting severe health risks. Gujarat, in particular, has been placed on red alert, with officials warning of a “very high likelihood of heat-related illnesses and heatstroke across all age groups.” Similar warnings have been issued for Konkan and Vidarbha in Maharashtra and southwest Rajasthan.

What’s Causing the Heatwave?
S.D. Sanap, a scientist at IMD Pune, attributed the rising temperatures to a high-pressure system over Gujarat and surrounding areas.
“This system is causing air subsidence, where the sinking air compresses and heats up. It prevents cloud formation, trapping heat near the surface. This is why Gujarat has been recording temperatures above 40°C consistently,” Sanap explained.

Multiple locations in the Pune region, including Rajgurunagar, Shirur, and Dhamdhere, have crossed the 40°C mark. The average maximum temperature in Konkan has been 2-3°C above normal for March. In the rest of Maharashtra, it has been about 1-2°C above normal, while Gujarat is seeing an increase of 2-3°C.

Heatwave Intensifies in Maharashtra and Gujarat
Several cities in Maharashtra recorded above-normal temperatures:
Akola – 41.3°C (+4.6°C above normal)
Chandrapur – 40.6°C (+3.4°C)
Nagpur (Sonegaon) – 40.2°C (+4.6°C)
Malegaon, Wardha, and Yavatmal also recorded 40°C

Meanwhile, Gujarat remains the hottest state, with:
Rajkot – 42.1°C (+6.7°C above normal)
Amreli, Surendranagar, and Kandla – 41°C (deviations of +5.1°C, +6.2°C, and +7.1°C, respectively)
Porbandar – 40.8°C (+7.6°C above normal)

Government Issues Health Warnings
IMD officials have urged people, especially vulnerable groups such as infants, the elderly, and those with chronic illnesses, to avoid prolonged sun exposure, stay hydrated, and use oral rehydration solutions.

For Gujarat, which is under a red alert, authorities have advised “extreme caution” due to the dangerous heat levels. In southwest Rajasthan, which is under orange alert, officials have warned of “high health risks for sensitive groups.”

Even in yellow alert zones such as Konkan, Vidarbha, Odisha, Jharkhand, and Gangetic West Bengal, IMD has cautioned about moderate health risks due to rising temperatures.

Relief Expected Soon?
Sanap mentioned that temperatures are likely to drop in some areas starting Thursday. “Clear skies, stronger solar radiation, and lower humidity levels are exacerbating the heatwave. However, a shift in weather patterns might bring some relief in the coming days,” he said.