Pune: Several districts in western Maharashtra , including Nashik, Ahmednagar, Pune, Satara, and Sangli have been placed under yellow alert once again for thundershowers and gusty winds from Oct 5 to 8. However, this time, the India Meteorological Department ( IMD ) has attributed these showers to the retreating monsoon rather than active monsoon conditions. S D Sanap, scientist at IMD, told TOI that a cyclonic circulation is expected to bring some moisture into Maharashtra.
"We also expect monsoon withdrawal to commence in parts of north Maharashtra on Saturday. The thundershowers expected are not due to the monsoon but would be a result of easterly winds blowing from the Bay of Bengal," he said, adding such thundershowers are typical during the monsoon's retreat. An IMD update on Friday stated, "Conditions are favourable for further withdrawal of Southwest Monsoon from remaining parts of west Uttar Pradesh, some more parts of Madhya Pradesh, remaining parts of east Rajasthan, some more parts of Gujarat and some parts of Maharashtra in the next 2-3 days.
" The yellow alert serves as a cautionary notice for residents to stay vigilant and avoid outdoor activities during periods of thunder and lightning to prevent injuries or fatalities. According to the district weather forecast by the Regional Meteorological Centre, Mumbai, Ahmednagar may see light rain from Oct 5 and during Oct 7-8, with thunderstorms likely on Oct 6. Pune district may see light to moderate rain and thundersh.