Pune: The India Meteorological Department has issued a red alert for Pune, Satara and Raigad districts as the monsoon regains strength over Maharashtra. The warning, in effect for the next two days, cautions of extremely heavy rainfall in isolated locations across the ghat areas of Pune and Satara. As rainfall intensified on Friday night, a landslide at Anuskura Ghat brought traffic to a complete standstill on the Rajapur-Kolhapur highway.
The IMD (India Meteorological Department) has warned of the potential for more landslides because of the upcoming downpours. S D Sanap, scientist,IMD, Pune, said, "Monsoon is active over the state, while the offshore trough has strengthened and now runs from south Gujarat to south Kerala coast. The low-level westerly flow from the Arabian Sea along the northern parts of the west peninsular coast has strengthened since Friday.
It is likely to continue to be so during the next two-three days. In addition, a well-marked low pressure area over the Bay of Bengal has been moving westward. This is also strengthening the monsoon flow, causing an increase in rainfall even in interior Maharashtra.
Hence, suitable warnings have been issued, including heavy rainfall in Pune city for a couple of days." Independent weather forecaster Abhijit Modak said, "The weather system responsible for the monsoon revival is a low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal. As it moves westward, its associated trough is expected to tilt southwestward, drawing moisture into the region.
This configuration is likely to activate monsoon conditions over Konkan, north Maharashtra and Vidarbha from August 24 to 26." Modak said, "Good rain is likely to occur on Sunday across Maharashtra, while intensity will reduce from August 26 as the low-pressure system moves further westward towards Gujarat, causing reduction in rainfall in interior Maharashtra. The rainfall in interiors over the next few days will be passing showers, unlike the convection-intense rain observed in Pune a few days ago.
" Rainfall data recorded in Pune and surrounding areas as of 5.30pm on August 24 showed significant precipitation in several locations. Girivan received the highest rainfall at 67.
5mm, followed by Lonavala at 58mm and Lavasa at 57.5mm. Other notable readings included Nimgiri (56.
5mm), Malin (34mm), NDA (29mm) and Lavale (27mm). Chinchwad recorded 23.5mm rainfall, while Shivajinagar in central Pune received 16mm.
Some areas experienced lighter rainfall, with Daund recording the lowest at 1mm. The IMD has issued warnings for Pune city for Sunday also of potential hazards such as reduced visibility, slippery roads, traffic disruptions and moderate waterlogging in low-lying areas and near river banks. The Met department also cautioned about the possibility of falling tree branches and minor landslides or mudslides in elevated hilly areas because of persistent rain.
The IMD's impact-based advisories urged residents to check for traffic congestion before travelling, follow traffic advisories, avoid waterlogged areas and stay away from vulnerable structures. The weather department also issued a flash flood risk assessment on Saturday for the next 24 hours. Low to moderate risk of flash flood is anticipated in certain watersheds and neighborhoods across several districts, including Mumbai City, Palghar, Raigad, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, suburban Mumbai and Thane.
"Residents and travelers in these areas are advised to stay alert and follow local authorities' guidelines during this period of intense monsoon activity," an IMD official said..
