Pune's Record-Breaking Rainfall Sparks Havoc in Shivajinagar

Shivajinagar in Pune recorded 114 mm of rainfall in 24 hours, marking the third-highest single-day rainfall in 66 years. Heavy rains caused four deaths and area flooding, prompting evacuations. Several regions in Pune experienced significant rainfall, leading to a red alert for more heavy rains.

Shivajinagar in Pune city experienced 114 mm of rainfall in just 24 hours, marking the third-highest amount in a single day over the past 66 years, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

The most significant 24-hour July rainfall in Shivajinagar was recorded on July 19, 1958, with 130.4 mm, followed by 117.9 mm on July 27, 1967, officials reported.

Data from the Shivajinagar weather station indicated that heavy rains, starting from Wednesday evening, devastated Pune, resulting in four deaths and the flooding of several houses and residential societies in low-lying areas, necessitating evacuations.

IMD data showed that Lavasa in Mulshi tehsil received the highest rainfall in the district with 455.5 mm over 24 hours, followed by Lonavala with 322 mm, Nimgiri with 232 mm, Malin with 180 mm, Chinchwad with 175 mm, Talegaon with 167 mm, NDA with 167 mm, and Lavale with 166 mm.

Across different parts of Pune, areas like Wadgaonsheri, Pashan, Shivajinagar, and Hadapsar saw rainfall between 108 mm and 140 mm within the same period.

Former IMD Pune weather forecasting department head Anupam Kashyapi described the rains as “record-breaking”.

IMD has issued a forecast predicting “incessant heavy to very heavy rains” in Pune and surrounding areas, enforcing a “red alert” for potential extremely heavy rainfall in certain ghat sections.