Unseasonal Rains Disrupt Diwali Preparations, Expected to Continue During the Festival
Pune: Unseasonal rains have caught residents of Pune and nearby areas off guard, disrupting Diwali preparations and daily routines. Showers began on Wednesday evening across several parts of Pune city, Pimpri-Chinchwad, and the surrounding rural regions, leading to traffic jams, waterlogging, and inconvenience for commuters.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), these rains are linked to the monsoon’s withdrawal phase. Although the official monsoon withdrawal was declared on October 10, IMD predicts light to moderate rain with thunderstorms in parts of Maharashtra, including Pune, between October 15 and 22. The showers are expected to overlap with the Diwali festivities.
Impact on Diwali Preparations
The unexpected rainfall has affected pre-Diwali shopping and traditional activities across Pune. Many residents were outdoors shopping or helping children build killas (mud forts) when the rain started, leaving them unprepared. Several forts and decorations were damaged, leaving families and children disappointed.
Rain Forecast for Maharashtra
IMD has issued a yellow alert for Pune, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Satara, Ahmednagar, Sindhudurg, and Beed. Light rain and cloudy skies are also expected in Mumbai and nearby coastal regions. Other districts like Sangli, Kolhapur, and Satara have also reported moderate rainfall.
Dr. Vineet Kumar, a noted weather scientist, mentioned on social media that the rain is likely to continue until October 23, potentially affecting major festive days like Vasubaras (October 17), Dhantrayodashi (October 18), and Narak Chaturdashi (October 20).
Advisory for Citizens
While no official red alert has been issued for Pune city, the local administration has advised citizens to keep track of IMD updates and plan travel or outdoor activities accordingly.
With Diwali around the corner, Puneites are hoping for a brief spell of sunshine amid the festive showers.
