Rainfall activity is likely to increase in Pune’s ghat areas over the next two days, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing a yellow alert till August 25. The alert comes as Pune district has recorded 20% deficient rainfall so far this month.
The district received 174 mm of rainfall between August 1 and 23, against the normal 216.8 mm for the period, according to IMD data. While rainfall in the city is likely to remain light with mainly cloudy skies, the ghat sections are expected to receive light to moderate rainfall.
“The ghat section in Pune is likely to experience light to moderate rainfall in the next two days and accordingly an alert has been issued by the IMD. In Pune city too, there are chances of light rainfall, while the city is likely to experience mainly cloudy skies,” said SD Sanap, senior meteorologist, IMD Pune.
The expected increase in rainfall activity is linked to weather systems developing over central and eastern parts of the country. An upper-air cyclonic circulation over the North Bay of Bengal, off the West Bengal-Bangladesh coasts, has resulted in the formation of a low-pressure area over the northwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining areas.
The system, which formed on August 23, is likely to move nearly northwestwards across north Odisha and adjoining Gangetic West Bengal during the next 24 hours. A shear zone is also extending roughly along 22°N over central India in the middle tropospheric levels.
{{/usCountry}}The system, which formed on August 23, is likely to move nearly northwestwards across north Odisha and adjoining Gangetic West Bengal during the next 24 hours. A shear zone is also extending roughly along 22°N over central India in the middle tropospheric levels.
{{/usCountry}}Under the influence of these systems, the IMD has forecast fairly widespread to widespread rainfall over Konkan and Goa between August 24 and 29. Madhya Maharashtra, which includes Pune, is likely to see increased rainfall activity on August 25, while Vidarbha is expected to receive light rainfall till August 29.
At the state level, Maharashtra has recorded a 42% rainfall deficiency during August 1-23, receiving 124.3 mm against the normal 215.3 mm. Eleven districts have recorded deficient rainfall, while 16 have reported large deficiency, with most of the affected districts located in Vidarbha and Marathwada.
Satara is the only district to have recorded excess rainfall during the period, with 215.9 mm against the normal 179.2 mm, or 20% above normal.
Region-wise, Marathwada has recorded the highest deficiency at 68%, followed by Vidarbha at 67% and Konkan at 26%. Central Maharashtra has recorded 13% less rainfall than normal and remains in the IMD’s ‘normal’ category.