2 weeks ago
Pune Braces for Rain; Ghats Under Alert; Dams Near Full
Rain is coming to the city of Pune and the hills around it.
The weather experts at the India Meteorological Department, or IMD, say some places could get very heavy rain until August 15.
They have put out orange and yellow alerts, which are like warning signs telling people to be careful.
The hill areas have already gotten a lot of rain — one place called Bhira got 120 millimetres.
Because so much rain is falling, the big dams are almost completely full.
When dams are full, water has to be let out so they don't overflow.
Water is being released from the Khadakwasla Dam into the Mutha river, and people living nearby are being watched closely.
Some housing society parking areas got flooded earlier, and one neighborhood called Ektanagari had to be cleaned up.
The city itself only got light rain, so temperatures stayed cool and below normal.
For now, people in Pune should expect cloudy skies and light rain for the next few days.
The IMD has forecast fairly widespread rainfall over Central Maharashtra till August 14, with isolated heavy spells likely on August 13, 15 and 16.
Orange and yellow alerts were issued for parts of the Pune and Satara Ghats, while the Kolhapur Ghats are under a yellow alert.
Ghat areas saw heavy rain in the 24 hours ending Wednesday morning, with Bhira recording 120 mm, Lonavala 108 mm and Tamhini 85 mm.
Khadakwasla Dam released about 4,700 cusecs into the Mutha river plus 1,000 cusecs into a canal, as major dams near full capacity.
Pune city received only light rain and below-normal temperatures; generally cloudy weather with light rain is likely till August 18.
- Who
- The India Meteorological Department issued the alerts, while the irrigation department and Pune Municipal Corporation managed dam releases and flood vigilance.
- What
- Heavy rainfall warnings for the Pune, Satara and Kolhapur Ghats, with dam water released into the Mutha river as storage nears full capacity.
- Where
- Pune and its surrounding ghat areas in Maharashtra, including the Satara and Kolhapur Ghats.
- When
- Rainfall was recorded in the 24 hours ending Wednesday morning, with forecast alerts running until August 15 and cloudy, rainy conditions expected till August 18.
- Why
- Continued rainfall in dam catchments and nearly full dam storage left limited room for more water, raising the risk of flooding.
Key facts
- IMD alerts
- Orange and yellow for parts of Pune/Satara Ghats; yellow for Kolhapur Ghats
- Heaviest 24h rainfall
- Bhira 120 mm; Lonavala 108 mm; Tamhini 85 mm
- Khadakwasla release
- ~4,700 cusecs into Mutha river; 1,000 cusecs into canal
- Bhama Askhed release
- Increased to 3,000 cusecs
- Dam storage
- Major dams close to 100% capacity
- Catchment rainfall
- Mulshi over 70 mm; Pavana ~35 mm; Panshet and Varasgaon over 15 mm each
- Pune forecast
- Generally cloudy with light rain till August 18
- Max temperature
- Shivajinagar 25.7°C (1.7°C below normal); Lohegaon 25.1°C (2.3°C below normal)









